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How to write a diversity statement for law school + example.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 09/1/23

If you’re wondering how to write a law school diversity statement, this article will provide insight into what you need to do to write a stellar law school diversity statement.

Deciding to write a law school diversity statement is not always the easiest call to make. In many ways, writing a diversity statement requires you to be vulnerable and speak candidly about factors in your life that have contributed to your identity. You'll have to talk about the core of who you are, which can often be challenging.

This article will cover when and how to write your diversity statement and dissect a few successful diversity statement examples. We will also go over some other burning questions you may have about writing a diversity statement.

A Complete Law School Diversity Statement Example

Now that we’ve gone over some tips on writing your law school diversity statement, we’ll be looking at a successful law school diversity statement example and breaking down what makes it a great one. The statement we’ll be looking at below was written by Madeline Baker, a student from the California Western School of Law . 

A Strong Start

Baker’s diversity statement starts strong as she dives straight into her story.

“I was adopted when I was less than one year old from the North Gyeongsang Province in South Korea. I grew up in Seattle, Washington with Caucasian parents and attended private school until college. American culture was inescapably my sole identity. Traditional American pastimes such as attending baseball games and eating hot dogs were staples of my childhood. However, as I've accumulated more life experience, I've come to acquire a taste for cultures dissimilar to my own. I'm a fanatic for spicy, flavorful foods and have become eager to understand social traditions that seem foreign to me. Although many people assume at first glance that I am accustomed to Korean culture and am fluent in the language, the comical truth is that I've never even had Korean barbeque. Unlike most of my friends and peers, I have also never met my birth mother. Having never experienced these traditions seemed normal to me until I noticed the pattern of assumptions that my outwardly Asian appearance dictated.”

‍ Why this is a strong start : She immediately highlights the conflicts she’s experienced between her racial and ethnic background and her cultural upbringing. This provides a strong base for the story she’s about to tell and keeps it straight to the point, as you know right off the bat what she’ll be talking about.

While this is only one of many great ways to start your statement, remember that your goal is to captivate your reader’s interest so they keep reading. Don’t meander too much here, and make every sentence count!

Character Development and Growth

As she continues to write, Baker discusses how she has grown in relation to a fragmented identity–one based on her appearance and the other based on her cultural upbringing. 

“As I've grown older, I have encountered more and more of a racial and cultural disconnect in my daily life. When I was a child, the fact that I had different-shaped eyes and a richer skin tone than most other children in my class was never questioned, nor was the fact that I didn't resemble my parents. Now, as an adult, I've become accustomed to looks of shock and interest when I share my life story—as if I were some type of exotic specimen. “

Why this body paragraph is successful : Discussing how your experiences have evolved and impacted you over time can provide more insight into your story. This will ultimately make a stronger essay as it provides a clear trajectory that seamlessly leads your reader from one point to the next.

A Diverse Perspective

The meat of your statement should be providing information on formative moments throughout your experience. Baker talks about going to a camp for Korean children adopted into Caucasian families in hopes of getting in touch with their Korean roots. 

“...attending camp for one week per year for eight years of my childhood was not exactly organic cultural immersion, which created a skewed view of my cultural heritage. My view of my cultural heritage. My encounters with others puts into light a new perspective for how quickly society and individuals jump to conclusions about people that they have never met. Although I have never felt discriminated against, it is eye opening to relate how I feel in culturally relevant situations to how others feel when they are treated differently for their skin color, their customs, and their lifestyles. This is a predominant issue in current society that many people will never have the opportunity to truly experience.”

Why this body paragraph is successful : These experiences contributed greatly to her perspective on culture and identity and provided some commentary on how we are often exposed to different cultures. When writing your law school diversity statement, it is essential that you consider how your story presents a diverse point of view. Once you’ve figured that out, use it as a focal point to drive your statement home.

Coming from a Place of Empowerment

Baker ends her statement with this:

‍ “I have been given a rare opportunity that every single day I am thankful for. An opportunity that many people will never have the chance to experience. I have the opportunity to see society from many different perspectives, a viewpoint I am constantly building on as I continue to blossom. I will continue developing my perspective and use it in a positive way to contribute to society through its justice system. Through my interest in criminal defense, I believe that I can help our country appreciate the benefits of a diverse culture, which will ultimately help non-predominant citizenry pursue their dreams. As a minority person with an Americanized upbringing, I hope to bridge the gap between our country's treatment of minorities in the justice system and the desire to create a society where minority citizens are encouraged to pursue their dreams—just as I am pursuing mine. We all have a right to be seen as individuals and not boxed into the preconceived notions of society. I will do all that I can to uphold this right for everyone.” 

Why this ending was successful: She speaks about her experience from a place of empowerment by stating how it has shaped her to be the person she is and how these interactions with her identity have driven her to pursue a career in law. 

While these experiences can be easily seen as negative ones, she reframes her own experiences as those of learning and growth. 

As you write your diversity statement, think about how you can approach your experiences from the vantage point of growth. Ask yourself the following questions: 

• How has this experience shaped me to be the person I am now?
• How have I grown and learned from my experiences?
• How have they impacted what I choose to do with my life?

These are some great questions that will ultimately highlight your strength, resilience, and character as you write your law school diversity statement.

How Important is a Diversity Statement for Law School?

Much like your personal statement, your law school diversity statement gives the admissions committee a chance to get to know you and the experiences that shape you. Though it isn’t the be-all and end-all of your application, an excellent diversity statement can definitely help you stand out. 

On the other hand, it’s also important to understand that a weak diversity statement can compromise the impact of your overall application. So, think about how this might affect your application.

Knowing When to Write a Diversity Statement

Diversity within any student body strengthens the community and expands the breadth of ideas and perspectives within it. As an aspiring law school student, writing a diversity statement allows you to talk about your life experiences. Doing this gives the admissions committee an opportunity to get to know what makes you, you. 

By the time you get to writing your diversity statement, you probably would have looked over your entire law school application about a million times. Going over parts of your application, like your personal statement , for example, should give you an idea of whether or should consider writing a diversity statement. 

Before you start writing your statement, ask yourself the following questions: 

• Have I covered everything that is essential to cover in my personal statement?
• Am I trying too hard to find something to write about?

If you answered yes to both of those questions, it probably means that writing a diversity statement for your law school application may not be necessary. 

If you feel that your personal statement covers your background adequately, and you’re finding writing an additional diversity statement isn’t coming naturally to you, you’re probably better off skipping this part of the application. 

Generally speaking, the key to writing a diversity statement for your law school application is genuinely having something to write about. 

In the same right, it is crucial to consider what you have to offer in terms of diversifying the school community. Seriously think about your background and the experiences you have faced and how they enable you to contribute diverse perspectives and ideas to the community.

How to Write a Law School Diversity Statement

Now that we’ve covered whether or not writing a law school diversity statement is best for your application, we’ll go over a few tips on how to write a stellar diversity statement. 

Tip 1: Do Your Research

As with any supplemental essay or statement, you’ll want to do research on what is required to write a successful one. While this article will leave you with less guesswork on how to approach your diversity statement, it’s essential that you know what each school’s requirements are to write a successful statement. 

This includes how each law school defines diversity and what they expect in terms of statement length and formatting. For instance, Harvard and Yale law diversity statement prompts are vague, stating that you write about how you are able to contribute to their community based on your breadth of experience. 

In contrast, some law schools like Duke provide a more detailed set of sample topics to guide your writing, which include the following:

• Economic disadvantage
• Personal adversity or other social hardship (perhaps stemming from one’s religious affiliation, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity)
• Experiences as a first-generation college student
• Significant employment history (such as in business, military or law enforcement, or public service)
• Experience as an immigrant or refugee
• Graduate study or impressive leadership achievement (including college or community service)

While some schools may look at diversity as socio-cultural (things like race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual identity), some schools may also consider factors like age, career shifts, and socio-economic status, among others, so make sure you know what each school expects.

Tip 2: Find a Good Topic

Once you have reviewed the prompts and guidelines for each law school diversity statement, it’s time to find a topic. You’ll want to write about something memorable and impactful. All law schools look for a common factor: your ability to contribute diverse perspectives to the school community. 

With this said, use your background and life experiences to guide your writing. Although these things can often feel vulnerable and challenging to write about, whatever topic you choose should come naturally to you–but more on this later!

Tip 3: Approach Your Experience from a Place of Empowerment 

Many experiences highlighting diversity often go hand in hand with some hardship, challenge, or adversity. Though it might not be your intention, these statements can sometimes come across as a victim’s narrative. As you write your diversity statement, make sure you write from a place of empowerment instead of victimhood. 

Regardless of what experience you choose to write about, center your statement around how you were able to persevere against all odds. Talk about what you learned and how that impacted and expanded your perspectives. 

Tip 4: Know How to Start and End Your Statement

An essential aspect of any essay or statement is having a strong beginning and end. Your law school diversity statement should catch your reader’s attention, keeping them interested up until the very end. 

Once you’ve chosen your topic, there are many ways that you can go about starting a strong essay and finishing it off with a bang. To do this effectively, you’ll want to draft a strong trajectory for your diversity statement. See your law school diversity statement as your hero’s journey, and tell your story.

FAQs: Diversity Statement for Law School

After going over what makes a great diversity statement, you might still have some questions about writing a diversity statement for your application. Below, we will cover some frequently asked questions that might clarify any concerns you might still have. 

1. Should You Write a Law School Diversity Statement?

You should only write a diversity statement if you have something thoughtful to say. Remember that, at times, what you say in your personal statement may overlap with your diversity statement–if this is the case, you may want to skip it.  

2. How Long Should a Diversity Statement Be for Law School?

Typically, your diversity statement will be no more than 1-2 pages long, but remember to do research on each school’s requirements. 

3. What Can I Write a Diversity Statement About?

Generally, you’ll be asked to write about how your diverse experiences have shaped your perspective. While each school might provide a different prompt, you’ll want to write about experiences or parts of your life that are less conventional. 

If you’re an aspiring law school student who might be switching career paths or are returning after a long hiatus, you might consider writing about what has led you to law. 

Similarly, you can also write about your experiences as a socio-economically or culturally diverse student if that applies to you. There are a plethora of topics to consider–make sure you pick one that is true to you.

4. What Not To Write In A Diversity Statement For Law School?

There are many elements you should avoid in law school diversity statements (and personal statements) , including rehashing stories you’ve already shared in your application, using quotes, being too ambiguous, and focusing your story on others rather than on your own experiences. 

Final Thoughts

Figuring out whether or not to write a law school diversity statement can be tricky, and writing one can be even more challenging. Remember that this statement is a great opportunity for you to introduce yourself and share your background with the admissions team. 

Make sure that your statement highlights what you have to bring to your school community. Best of luck!

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6 Successful Law School Diversity Statement Examples

Many people have asked me to share successful law school diversity statement examples. Here are a few I am especially proud of.

1) This adversity-focused diversity statement contributed to the applicant’s admission at a T20 school with a large scholarship, despite a sub-2.8 GPA.

I grew up in Ohio with my parents and two younger brothers. Though I lived with my parents, I was often left caring for my brothers, as my father was frequently unfit and my mother was out working well over sixty hours a week to keep a roof over our heads. I made sure my brothers went to school, had food to eat, did their homework, showered, brushed their teeth, and were cared for when they got sick. That was the easy part.

I also had to shield them from our father’s addiction. Since I was a toddler, he has been an addict. He has been to rehab eight times, prison three times, and threatened suicide at least six times. And he never hid his problems from my brothers and me. When I was six, I had to wrestle away his gun as he waved it around during a drunken stupor. When I was twelve, I had to discard bags of pills and needles he left out on the kitchen table one night. If I hadn’t woken up early the following morning, my brothers likely would have got to them. On more occasions than I can remember, I hid and spilled out his alcohol. Despite it all, each time he went to rehab I told myself that he would get better. He never did.

A few weeks into my senior year of high school, my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It progressed rather quickly and, by the time I started college, he was no longer able to perform routine self-care. With no relatives willing to have anything to do with him, I was left as his sole caregiver. It remained this way for my stay at [university 1] and [university 2]. As I pursued my first bachelor’s degree, I cared for both my father and brothers.

For years, I let my family struggles prevent me from reaching my potential. I worked for the moment, trying to keep things together and make sure that each day ended with my brothers safe and my father not out on the street. It wasn’t until my senior year at [university 2] that I realized my experiences were not normal and that I was letting them hold me back. While they no longer do, I still use them as a lens to view the world, which enables me to better understand and help those in difficult circumstances. I will continue to do so as I pursue a legal career.

2) This is an outside-the-box diversity statement I like to call, “Animal House.” It contributed to the applicant’s admission at 8 of the T15 schools.

A camel seeking retirement from a lifetime of pulling carts. A duck left locked in an abandoned house. A starving group of emus set free in the wild by their owners. A gentle draft horse abused by his handler in preparation for rodeo work. Goats, sheep, parrots, alpacas, and miniature brahmin cows, all relinquished by overeager owners unprepared for the routines of feeding and care. With each story, the size of our family and rescue operation grew.

We took in our first rescue when I was four, and by the time I was seven, I was one of about sixty “children.” Like any siblings, we sometimes squabbled. In the living room, I competed with a dozen rescue dogs for space on the couch. In the kitchen, I wrestled with our potbellied pig, Moo, over cereal in the pantry. I quickly learned the difficulty of pulling an indulging pig from his food. But it wasn’t all fighting; we also loved each other. My first responsibility was caring for a pair of emu chicks that nested in my bathtub. Their hungry chirps served as my alarm for school. During dinner, I ate with one hand while the other held a bottle for our orphaned baby llama.

As I grew older, my role shifted from sibling to parent. Starting in fourth grade, I spent weekends trimming goat hooves, shearing alpacas, and tossing hay to our motley herd. Groggy school mornings involved carrying four happily chattering parrots to their outdoor aviary. During the summer, I mixed peacock feed and cleaned stalls before breakfast, occasionally finding myself holding down a kicking donkey for his midday shots.

The work was the easy part. Much harder was establishing friendships with creatures taught to distrust humans. When I was thirteen, I remember always crouching to approach Napoleon, our miniature horse, who would have bolted otherwise. It would be months before I could stand in front of him. When I was sixteen, I learned that reared ears on a camel is a sign of comfort, while the same on a llama precedes spitting. It wasn’t an easy lesson, and I got pretty wet while learning it. Just last year, I spent several hours a day over twelve weeks soothing a petrified Great Pyrenees. She eventually stopped peeing herself at the sight of a human and was adopted to a good home.

Decades on the ranch have taught me to work with compassion and accept long stretches with little progress. I have learned that what works for one creature may be the complete opposite for another, each idiosyncrasy revealed over time. My siblings instilled in me the virtues of adaptability and patience, and those are the lessons I carry closest—knowing how to sit, listen, and understand others, regardless of species.

3) This diversity statement tells the story of an applicant’s difficulty growing up with conflicting ethnicities. It contributed to their admission at 8 of the T15 schools.

I sat down at a dinner table covered in all sorts of Turkish and Armenian meats, fish, and cheese. It was like this every Sunday. My family got together, talked, laughed, and shared stories about our week, code-switching between languages as easily as we did ethnic dishes. After we finished eating, my grandma put the leftover enginar , a traditional Turkish dish made of artichoke hearts, into my lunch box for school.

I obviously couldn’t bring enginar to my Armenian school, so I woke up early the next day to make a PB&J. If I had brought the enginar , my peers would have tauntingly called me a Turk and claimed I wasn’t a real Armenian. As a result of the Turkish genocide of Armenians during World War I, there is enmity between the two countries. My family is Armenian but lived in Turkey for many years before moving to the U.S. in the 80s.

In my first few years in Armenian school, I became a cultural chameleon. I couldn’t show my Turkish self without risking ridicule, so I embraced my Armenian side and distanced myself from anything Turkish. I studied pages of Armenian words I had only known in Turkish, created playlists mixing System of a Down with Armenian church hymns, and discussed the country’s history with peers at lunch. At home, I blurred boundaries between my two cultures. I filled my dinner plate with Turkish and Armenian food, affixed Turkish prefixes on Armenian nouns, and watched episodes of Turkish dramas with my Armenian-speaking grandparents.

As time passed, while I flourished in school, I felt out of place at home. I couldn’t balance the two cultures and elected to just cut out my Turkish half. This led to a strain on my family relationships. I was quiet when anything Turkish came up, in a way embracing my peers’ negative outlook. It wasn’t until I attended an event about a slain Turkish-Armenian journalist that things clicked. Learning how Hrant Dink dedicated his life to seeking positive change in Turkish-Armenian relations made me realize I didn’t need to be a cultural chameleon. What defined Dink wasn’t his culture or ethnicity but his work.

With this in mind, I no longer felt conflicted by my mixed culture. I am defined by my actions, values, and goals, not my countries of origin. While I stayed sensitive to my peers, I focused more on cultivating my unique sense of self and less on fitting everyone else’s idea of who I should be. As a law student and attorney, I will keep this lesson at the forefront of my mind. Ultimately, it is my work and impact on the world and those around me that is most important. And I will do everything in my power to make a mark worth remembering.

4) This diversity statement focuses on the applicant’s experience growing up as a third-culture child.

After an absence of almost three years, I’m back in Shanghai and meeting an old friend for dinner. She asks if I miss being in America. Without hesitation, I say no, explaining that in many ways I feel more at home in China, since this is where I spent most of my childhood. Plus, the food is better, I joke. “That’s surprising,” she says, “because you’re American, not Chinese.”

My heart sinks. In America, I am seen first and foremost as Asian. In China, I’m a foreigner. In reality, both are right. I’m half Chinese and half American. Being a “halfie” means my features are a kind of a Rorschach test for the viewer, morphing according to who sees me. Although my friend may feel certain I am American, my mind wanders through memories that would challenge her conviction—such as being teased as the only Asian girl in my third-grade ESL class or being told to “go back to China” during the height of the Covid-19 crisis. In the eyes of many, I am Chinese.

My father was an American diplomat to China and my mother was a stage and film actress from Shanghai. Every one to three years, we moved between Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C. By the time I started high school, I had already attended seven schools in three countries and mastered code-switching between Mandarin and English.

Moving so often taught me to leave certain assumptions behind and to see “normal” in a new light. Ordinary things like classroom etiquette became sources of novelty and revelation. In Washington, D.C., I was encouraged to ask questions. But in Beijing, my questions were reprimanded as undermining the teacher’s authority. In Hong Kong, I took exams that rewarded my ability to memorize long passages of text. In New York, pure reproduction was not enough; I also had to critically analyze what I learned. These contrasts were disorienting at times, but I embraced them with an open mind, adapting to the environment I was in.

While I used to feel lost among the many places I have lived, I now see my bicultural upbringing as a gift. It taught me how to navigate ambiguity and adapt quickly in unfamiliar places. It helped me internalize the practice of leading with empathy, not judgment. And while it has taken me time, I no longer define myself in fractions, as a “halfie,” but as the sum of whole parts: Chinese and American. As I step into the classroom, I look forward to sharing the multiplicity of values and perspectives I have been exposed to. They have shaped who I am today and will no doubt shape my journey in law.

5) This is another example of an outside-the-box diversity statement. “The Tinkerer” contributed to the applicant’s admission to a T6 law school with a sub-3.2 GPA.

Growing up, I was a tinkerer. I began as my father’s assistant for home construction projects—building benches, installing drywall, wiring audio systems—before going off on my own. As I fiddled, my father’s favorite maxim replayed in my head: “measure twice and cut once.” Except I usually cut several times. Any time I got my hands on a new device, I grabbed my toolset and tested how much I could take it apart before I had to put it back together.

When I saw how simple the inside of my first electric guitar was, I took out its shoddy pickups and soldered in noiseless ones. I did the same with the tone and volume potentiometers, and it was soon a pattern for me. Any time I got something new, I upgraded it. I stopped being interested in full devices, rather seeking out parts. This approach allowed me to get an electric guitar with a sound as smooth as a Santana solo. I saved up money from odd jobs for a bridge, tuners, bone nut, strings, and pickups. For pennies on the dollar, I assembled a new guitar. To my friends, it was high-end; to me, it was a Frankenstein masterpiece.

I took a similar approach with my computer when it could no longer keep up with my music production needs. In my basement were old desktops covered in dust, so I stripped them for their best parts to build a “new” one. As my music became more complex, however, my computer was no longer able to handle my processing needs, so I did the same thing again. I used what remained of my savings to buy parts from Newegg and built a faster computer from scratch. That did the trick for a couple of years, but over the last half-decade, I have tinkered with it at every opportunity, swapping out and upgrading parts. The computer almost looks like a taped-together kid’s project at this point, but you would never know once it’s turned on.

As I have matured, my love for disassembling gadgets and rebuilding a stronger version has carried into my intellectual pursuits. Examining the components and logical structure of an argument enlivens me, and I am not averse to playing devil’s advocate. Beyond the theoretical, my love for incorporating technology into my pursuits surfaces in everything I do, whether it’s tackling web design for a research project or fixing people’s laptops on weekends. As a law student, I look forward to using my technical skills to provide insight on legal issues where technology plays a role. Likewise, I know that my experiences will enable me to approach issues from an unconventional angle and contribute a nuanced voice inside and outside the classroom.

6) This diversity statement shows how the applicant connects with their culture through cooking. It contributed to their admission at a T10 law school with a sub-3.0 GPA.

As soon as I enter the Iranian market, I go straight to the butcher and ask for the best Cornish hens that day. Then it’s over to the produce section in search of the freshest leafy vegetables. I grab some parsley and remember what grandma told me: more than two brown leaves is a bad sign, no dry stems, and when in doubt, use the smell test. I sift through a dozen wilted stocks, grab the brightest one, and throw it in the bag.

Cooking has always been my way of connecting with my culture and ancestry. Although I have never actually visited Iran, I have experienced it in the kitchen many times over. From a young age, my grandma taught me how to make Iranian dishes that were passed down to her and had me repeatedly practice the relevant techniques until I perfected them. In her eyes, patience and attention to detail were necessary prerequisites for success in any endeavor.

When I return from the market, I start preparing grandma’s signature dish: Zereshk Polo Morgh , chicken and saffron rice mixed with barberries and pistachios. Task one: long and fluffy rice. I start the brief boiling process, removing a grain every minute to check the consistency. A slightly mushy exterior is my cue to begin steaming. I slowly layer the rice into a giant pot and crank up the heat to ensure a crunchy bottom tahdig layer, the crown jewel of all Iranian rice-based dishes. When steam pours out of the lid, I reduce the flame and let it simmer. Task two: juicy Cornish hens. The dry rubbed hens go into the oven belly up, with a small base of broth to retain moisture. Set it to 385 degrees for 3 hours, then 5 minutes in the broiler for crispy skin. Task three: shiny barberries. I sauté them in saffron butter for roughly 2.5 minutes, immediately removing the pan from the heat when they start ballooning. A quick stir with brown sugar provides a sweet and glossy finish.

Preparing a feast each week has been a tradition in my family for generations. Although I was usually grandma’s assistant, today, I’m in the kitchen alone while she chats with my family in the living room. Aromas of Iran fill the air as I put on the finishing touches. I grab sixteen plates and begin filling them. A mound of barberry laden saffron rice, a sprinkle of slivered pistachios, and a serving of golden Cornish hen with parsley to garnish. I bring the plates out to my family and wait for grandma’s nod of approval. She nods. I smile widely.

My years in the kitchen have bonded me with a culture I deeply cherish. Through grandma’s teachings, I have learned to value patience and precision, knowing that prioritizing the little things will always make for a better, more complete product. I am confident these values will help me excel in law school and my career.

Interested in learning more? To set up a consultation, contact me at [email protected] or use my contact form: sharperstatements.com/contact .

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A Guide to the Law School Diversity Statement

Padya Paramita

September 30, 2019

As you finalize your JD school list and look through the requirements, you might notice that many institutions provide you with the opportunity to add an optional diversity statement. The law school diversity statement is an essay that asks you to elaborate on an aspect of your identity, background, or extracurriculars that will bring a unique perspective to your future classroom. 

Though law school diversity statement prompts vary from school to school, they essentially ask the same question: what distinguishes you from other applicants? While your racial or ethnic identity might be the first criteria to jump out, you can also discuss an impactful activity, leadership opportunity, or work experience that provides the school with more context about why you’re an exceptional candidate. To help you navigate this component, I have outlined what the diversity statement is, prompts for top schools, what to include in the essay, and how the law school diversity statement plays a role in your admissions decision.

What is the Law School Diversity Statement?

As the name suggests, the law school diversity statement allows you to expand on a quality which makes you different from other applicants. Unless otherwise stated, the statement is not just for racial or ethnic minorities. Although racial and ethnic identities are a significant component of diversity, the term is far more expansive. If you aren’t racially diverse, it’s not something you can change. Instead of worrying about that, focus on how you can frame other parts of your profile as a meaningful focal point.

You should use the diversity statement as an opportunity to tell the admissions committee something unique about yourself, what makes you tick, or experiences that have shaped your worldview. This could include your background as well as any unique extracurricular activities, exceptional experiences, and honors and awards that make you stand out from the rest of the pack. Successful examples include family circumstances such as adoption, or unusual hobbies and accomplishments such as competitive weightlifting.

Diversity Statement Prompts for Top Law Schools

Not all JD schools ask for a diversity statement . For the majority of schools that do, the essay is optional. Let’s take a look at which schools in the top 20 allow you to add a diversity statement, and how the prompts are framed.

As you can tell from the table, the majority of top schools do have an option for you to add a law school diversity statement . The component might be optional or specific to certain underrepresented groups. On the flip side, many schools explicitly mention other kinds of diversity (employment, academic background, etc) in the prompt. If the school refers to diversity more broadly, you should answer the question even if you fear you aren’t diverse! It’s expected at schools that phrase it like that where most candidates in the pool will submit a response. So you need to submit an essay in order to distinguish yourself!

Even though most schools haven’t assigned a word limit, you should take clues from the ones that do such as UT Austin and USC, and make sure your essay doesn’t go beyond one to two pages double-spaced. 500 words is a good target to keep in mind when considering the length of the piece. Make sure you carefully review all of the instructions before deciding whether its inclusion would boost your application or not. 

What to Include in Your Law School Diversity Statement

A strong law school diversity statement requires you to be extremely introspective. The end goal is not to say “I am a perfect fit for law school.” The end goal of the diversity statement is to leave your reader with a better understanding of how your unique set of experiences has shaped your worldview. You shouldn’t mention adversity if what you’ve faced isn’t as challenging as what others might bring to the table. Think about how your topic will be read alongside your peers! 

You could write about how your racial or ethnic identity has shaped how you interact with the world around you. But it could just as easily be your religious experience, family makeup, significant age difference from the median law student, or upbringing in a rural community. Alternatively, it could simply be your love for art, or music, or – fill in another creative endeavor – and the confidence or solace you have found in it. Your options are abundant.

That being said, your diversity statement shouldn’t cover a topic that has already been described elsewhere in your application, especially in your personal statement . So another way of brainstorming would be to think of all the things you love that would tell an admissions committee who you are as a person, that you wanted to put into your personal statement, but couldn’t. 

Some of the examples Duke Law Schoo l provides to inspire applicants in search of topics are:

• An experience of prejudice, bias 
• Economic disadvantage
• Personal adversity or other social hardship (perhaps stemming from one’s religious affiliation, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity)
• Experience as a first-generation college student
• Significant employment history (such as in business, military or law enforcement, or public service)
• Experience as an immigrant or refugee; graduate study
• Impressive leadership achievement (including college or community service).

Once you’ve pinpointed the part of your identity you wish to highlight, think about how to frame it in an interesting manner. Include anecdotes that depict how this background has affected your life and played a role in shaping your perspective. If the prompt asks any specific questions, make sure you answer them. A strongly written diversity statement could be the final positive sign the reader needs to swing the admissions decision in your favor.

Role of the Law School Diversity Statement in the Admissions Process

This added component gives you another opportunity to show that you’d be a strong asset to their institution. But if you answer the diversity prompt in a poor way, admissions officers could feel like you have nothing interesting to bring to the table. Think critically about what you would write.

JD programs want a class that is diverse, where every student adds something new to the classroom. Just like your personal statement, admissions officers use the diversity statement to determine whether your background makes you a unique addition to the class and school. They don’t accept students from one particular major or students who have all participated in one type of activity. In fact, it’s the opposite. Law schools do all they can to make sure their classes aren’t full of the same type of students. 

This essay is a chance for admissions officers to know who you are beyond the personal statement and the experiences mentioned in your resumé. When you are trying to distinguish yourself from thousands of applicants, it never hurts to include an additional layer to your application that provides admissions officers with more context on your background and interests. 

L aw school diversity statement essays helps institutions determine how diverse, in terms of race, gender, sexuality, class, and professional and extracurricular background an incoming class will be. Your essay should highlight an aspect of you that can help admissions officers understand your context better, and expand on a part of you that they wouldn’t guess easily. A well-written law school diversity statement might just be the component that sways the decision your way. So if you think that answering the diversity prompt can help make you memorable in the admissions officers’ eye, you should include one without a doubt.

General FAQ

What is the law school diversity statement.

As the name suggests, the law school diversity statement allows you to expand on a quality which makes you different from other applicants. Unless otherwise stated, the statement is not just for racial or ethnic minorities. Although racial and ethnic identities are a significant component of diversity, the term is far more expansive.

Is the diversity statement a required part of the application?

For the majority of schools, the diversity statement is optional. However, it is in your best interest to take advantage of this space and show admissions officers your unique qualities.

Do all schools offer a diversity statement?

No, some schools, such as Yale, the University of Michigan, and Washington University in St. Louis, do not have diversity statements as part of their applications.

What can I write about in my diversity statement?

Diversity statement topics could include: an experience with prejudice or bias, economic disadvantage, impressive leadership experience, significant employment history, personal adversity or other social hardships.

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How to Write a Diversity Statement for Law School

8 tips for writing a better diversity statement for your law school application..

Your law school application likely requires several written documents in addition to the usual suspects, like transcripts and test scores. This entire package gives admissions officers a comprehensive, yet personalized picture of your aptitude for advanced study and fit for their specific program. And, more and more often, admissions offices are asking that a diversity statement be included in that picture.

What is a Diversity Statement?

Generally speaking, a diversity statement details [1] your experience with diversity, personally and professionally, and [2] your approach to advancing equity and inclusion within the community and your workplace. At Stetson Law, for example, our school’s statement includes our definition of what diversity means to us: “an acknowledgment of differences between groups of people and perhaps an invitation for such groups to join a community, inclusion involves embracing those differences by valuing and supporting the backgrounds and experiences of every individual and group in a way that will help create a sense of belonging and unity.” Because we value the perspectives from the communities represented by our student body, faculty and staff, we also include their voices in our statement. Similarly, the American Bar Association places great emphasis on diversity and inclusion , and has created its own mission statement outlining what diversity means within the justice system and for practicing lawyer: “promoting collaboration, coordination, and communication to … eliminate bias and enhance diversity and inclusion throughout the Association, legal profession, and justice system.” Of course, these are statements written by a group to represent institutions. They can be helpful in getting you closer to your own definition of what diversity means to you, but their aims are ultimately a bit different from a diversity statement you write for law school. That’s why we’ve developed this comprehensive guide to help you get started with yours.

Should I Write a Diversity Statement for Law School?

Some schools require a diversity statement as part of their application process, but others keep it optional. If you do get a choice in the matter, you’re left facing the question: should I write one? Is there any benefit, or risk, to your application if you choose to forego or submit a diversity statement? Here are a few things to weigh as you make a decision.

• 1. Your diversity statement may be able to tell part of your story that the rest of your application can’t.

If you have expertise in working across different communities, including those that are historically underserved by the justice system, you’ll probably want to write a diversity statement. You’ll be able to use the extra space provided by a diversity statement to convey that depth of experience and to outline your specific skills in more detail.

Or maybe you’ve encountered obstacles, experienced injustice yourself, in ways that shape your desire to pursue legal studies and your approach to law. A diversity statement could be an opportunity for you to point out related interests or specializations, like Social Justice Advocacy, or to speak to the unique skills you’ve developed that make you a stronger lawyer-in-training. If there’s more to your story, a diversity statement is a great place to tell it. Just make sure that you explain the connection between these experiences and your interest in studying law at that school.

• 2. The type of law you plan to study, or where you wish to practice, may ask that you have diversity training and experience connecting with people across different communities.

For example, maybe you state in your application that your dream is to work as a public defender or a district attorney. Given that such roles require you to represent people from different backgrounds and communities, it’s a good idea to write a diversity statement. In your statement, you could point to specific resources and courses of study offered by that law program, which you plan to pursue throughout your studies to prepare you for your chosen career. Or perhaps you’re interested in a specialized field, like LGBTQ+ policy or environmental law . Identifying a preferred area of focus in your overall application can be a great way to show admissions committees that you’re aware of the programs they offer (you’ve done your research!) and that you’re already thinking long-term about a legal career. But you may also want to write a diversity statement that expands on those investments. You could include volunteer or advocacy work you’ve done for environmental causes, for instance, or whatever area of interest you’ve chosen. You could identify landmark cases that you’d want to study and revisit in your own career, or existing policies you’d want to examine closely throughout your studies. And if a prospective law school offers specific concentration, a diversity statement could help you make your case for why you should study at that particular school. Jen Rex, 2L at Stetson, did precisely that. "When I was looking into law schools, I really wanted to find a school that had a student organization for LGBTQ+ students and offered a welcoming environment,” Jen said. “ I was happy to find Stetson's Lambda Legal Society...The organization continues to grow and find ways to get involved and I am excited to be a part of it. I also appreciate that I can see myself represented in the faculty by multiple professors who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community and a host of others who are allies to the community. "

1. You may not have enough time in your busy schedule to create another quality piece of writing for your application.

If the diversity statement is optional, you may choose not to write one because you’re pressed on time. The written documents for law school applications can take hours to polish, and ideally include a few rounds of revision. If you’re fortunate enough to get your written pieces in front of word-sharp colleagues, professors or practicing lawyers, all the better. But maybe you’re working full time, have an overbooked family life, or have been out of school for a few years and no longer have a campus-size roster of resources to workshop your writing samples. In this case, you may decide that writing a diversity statement isn’t the right choice for you at this time. It’s important to showcase your best work to admissions committees, and sometimes your best work includes wise restraint.

• 2. You may not have enough experience, knowledge, or training in diversity and equity issues to write effectively on the subject.

It’s vital that lawyers and legal professionals have diversity training. Hopefully your law school has built diversity education and resources into its program. That said, maybe at the time of your application you don’t have that much knowledge or experience about the issues. In that case, it’s probably a good idea to hold off on writing a diversity statement. Instead, you could spend that time researching recent law articles on diversity topics or request a syllabus reading list from your chosen law school. That way you can get a head start on the work of diversity education, even if you’re not prepared to write an effective statement. These are just a few of the pros and cons of writing a statement. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if a diversity statement can advance your candidacy, or if your application is strong enough without one.

How Do I Write a Diversity Statement?

If you’re here, you’ve decided that writing a diversity statement is the right option for your law school application. Now you’re faced with the bigger challenge: outlining, drafting, and revising your statement. Here are some useful guidelines to get you started.

Structure Tips

• 1. Identify your statement’s purpose.

Approach your diversity statement with a clear purpose in mind. Are you writing it because of a specific experience that has shaped your approach or inspired your interest in a specific field? Are you invested in pursuing a particular type of legal practice or course of study at that law school? Whatever the reason, it’s best to be upfront about it early in your diversity statement. Think of it as your opening statement, pun intended.

• 2. Define your approach to diversity, then explain what shaped that approach in the narrative that follows.

“Diversity” is a big word. And while diversity in thought and practice centers on inclusivity, it’s crucial that you define your own approach to that practice. This definition is also helpful from a structural vantage point: once you outline your approach to diversity, you can make sure the rest of the narrative that follows supports that definition. For writing in general, it’s best practice to define the terms you’re using as a framework. This way, you’ve gotten your readers on the same page as you, and the rest of your writing will be clearer and cohesive. All the makings of great legal writing!

• 3. Use that narrative structure to connect your personal experience with your professional training and education.

Your diversity statement might be very personal to you, and include very personal details. Or your diversity statement may center on education and professional training. Either is a great reason to write a diversity statement. But no matter what path your narrative takes, all roads lead back to your pursuit of legal studies - and your pursuit of legal studies at that law school, in particular. Many applicants get caught up in the details of their own narrative and forget their audience is an admissions committee. Law schools are invested in your stories, but they also need to know how they fit into your story and, in turn, how you fit into theirs. Make your case clear throughout your narrative. For example, you could cite specific courses you want to take that would help you advance skills you’ve already started. Or you could point out a legal society you’d like to join at the school that brings communities together around advocacy work that matters most to you. You could research that society’s recent and upcoming events, even its publications or press releases, to incorporate specific ways you’d want to get involved and do your part. Personal and professional narratives work best when they forge a connection with an audience. So don’t forget to center that connection as you tell your story.

• 4. Before you conclude, make sure you’ve outlined how your law school pursuits align with your diversity goals for growth and engagement.

Building off of the previous tip, make sure that you end with a clear picture of how law school will help you advance your diversity goals. This is a great tip to revisit during the editing stage of your writing process. If, by the end of your read-through, it’s not clear (1) what your diversity goals are, and (2) how this law school will help you achieve them, you know you need to go back and edit your statement. The point to keep in mind here? Admissions committees need to leave your application with a firm grasp of how this school is right for you, and how you are right for them.

• 1. Tell a story, but avoid cliches.

“Throughout time,” “the human condition,” “society as a whole.” The phrases your writing teacher warned you about? They all apply here. A diversity statement can’t possibly take us through a history of time, or define what we mean by something as lofty as “the human condition.” Your statement is short, so you need to take advantage of the space by telling your story, in your terms, as specifically as possible. And, given that your application is designed to make you stand out as a prospective student, it’s best to avoid any phrases that cast you back into the crowd.

• 2. This is about you, so don’t be general.

Similar to the previous tip, it’s important to offer concrete details wherever possible. When you make general or generalizing claims in a personal diversity statement, you’re losing valuable real estate. Give the admissions committee a specific glimpse into how you think, how you learn, how you write, how you approach justice and communities.

• 3. Eliminate filler words or unnecessary padding.

Legal writing should be clear and to the point. As a prospective student, you should try to model that in your own application materials. That doesn’t mean eliminating turns of phrase or thick descriptions that give readers insight into your personality. It does mean cutting “filler” words from your prose. If you can rewrite a sentence the same way, but shorter? Do it! This is great practice for legal writing, but it’s also respectful of your readers. Admissions committees read a lot of applications, so great editing is a true kindness.

• 4. Be aware of your audience: be thoughtful in your word choice.

Speaking of admissions committees… It’s important to remember that you’re writing for them. Even if your diversity statement is quite personal, your goal is to communicate your readiness to study law to a committee of experts. This means you need to be thoughtful in your word choice and focus. Lawyer jokes? Probably not a great idea. And, given that you’re writing a diversity statement, insensitive word choice is particularly glaring. Be thoughtful and deliberate in how you write your statement.

How Long Should a Diversity Statement Be?

Before you take advice from anything you read online, contact your law school admissions department first. They may have specific guidelines on how long your statement should be. That said, if no parameters exist, you could safely aim for one to two pages, single spaced, with 12 point font. That’s about 500 - 800 words.

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As you research prospective law schools, consider Stetson Law. We offer a range of courses, programs and resources dedicated to building diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal community. We’re also here to answer any questions you may have about the program and admissions, including diversity statement guidelines! Contact us any time. Interested in J.D. from Stetson Law? Apply now .

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Six Tips for Writing a Successful Diversity Statement for Law School Applications

December 8, 2021

Stratus Admissions

When applying to law school, the diversity statement is typically an optional essay that serves as a companion to your required personal statement essay. The diversity statement provides law schools details about you: your personal experiences, your unique voice, and how you will add a diverse perspective to their class. Keep the following tips in mind to write an effective diversity statement:

1. Remember, it’s about YOU!

The diversity statement conveys to law schools deeper dimensions of who you are as well as what circumstances and events have shaped your life. While your personal statement communicates why you want to go to law school and what qualifications, experiences, and accomplishments have prepared you for this endeavor, the diversity statement is more personal in nature and focuses on what makes you unique and how you would help increase diversity in the classroom.

Diversity statement topics can range from overcoming hardship (poverty, illness, abuse, death in the family, etc.) or volunteering to serve your community to encounters with other cultural or sub-cultural groups. These are just examples; be sure to focus on what makes your story uniquely yours .

One former Stratus Admissions client wrote about his experience on a religious pilgrimage through Spain during his senior of college. Through this pilgrimage, he learned about his own heritage as well as modern-day poverty in Spain. This experience cultivated his desire to go to law school and become an advocate for human rights.

To begin drafting your diversity statement, think about the most formative experiences of your life and jot them down digitally or in a journal.

2. Start with an outline.

Like your personal statement, you should outline your diversity statement before you begin writing.

Pick one major life experience or event, summarize that event in an introduction, and then use each body paragraph to provide details about the experience or event and the various ways it has shaped who you are.

Conclude with your reflection: How has your unique experience shaped your perspective, and how will this add to a law school’s diversity?

However, here is one caveat: do not repeat information that you’ve already included in your personal statement.

3. Include stories that add value.

Most essays can benefit from anecdotes and stories, and this is especially true for the diversity statement. Incorporating details and dialogue can make an essay even more compelling.

For example, if you write about growing up in a poor rural community, share stories about the people with whom you grew up. What was a typical day in your life like? How far did you have to drive just to get to the supermarket? Did you have access to legal aid if you needed it? These details can bring your essay to life.

4. Keep it brief.

Typically, the diversity statement is only one to two pages double-spaced (while most personal statements run two to four pages). Formatting varies from school to school, so be sure to confirm each school’s requirements.

5. Ask for feedback.

Just like with your personal statement, obtaining feedback is important to build a strong diversity statement. Ask someone you trust—perhaps a professor who is writing your letter of recommendation or a colleague—to review the essay and provide detailed feedback. Take sufficient time to evaluate their feedback and make necessary edits.

6. Proofread!

Always, always proofread your diversity statement before you submit. Typos and errors will not be well received by law school admissions committees and will weaken your application.

A strong diversity statement can convey to law school admissions committees a deeper sense of who you are, what has shaped your values, and how you will bring diversity to their classroom. Getting a head start well before applications are due ensures that you will have the strongest possible diversity statement to support your candidacy for law school.

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3 ways to nail the diversity essay and get into a top law school

• Grad school essay expert Robert Schwartz shares how to nail the law school diversity statement.
• It's an essay where applicants can show parts of themselves they struggle with, he says.
• Or, consider diversity of thought or experience.

In addition to the required personal statement , many law schools — including Stanford and Harvard — give applicants a chance to write an optional diversity essay .

According to Robert Schwartz, president of college application consulting company Your Best College Essay , this essay gives candidates a wide-open playing field to share information that might help them get in.

"There is literally nothing you can't write about," Schwartz said.

He added that applicants should take this freebie seriously. 

"Think about all the other applicants who will take the time to do so thoughtfully and with sincerity. They're your competition," he said.

One reason it's important to prioritize this part of the application is that law schools are increasingly looking for a diverse student body.

"Once upon a time, law schools were very homogeneous," Schwartz said. "In the last few years, they wanted to better reflect what America looks like. If you don't fit into one certain box, you will bring a unique perspective to that campus."

Schwartz shared with Insider three tips for coming up with an exceptional diversity statement that will support your application and give admissions officers another reason to accept you.

Share a part of yourself you've struggled with

If you have one aspect of your life you want to explain or go into detail about — even if it has nothing to do with law school or being a lawyer — Schwartz said you should include it in your diversity essay.

For example, last year, Schwartz worked with an applicant who's dyslexic and spoke about her struggles in class, personal relationships, and extracurriculars, using it as an example of her resilience and ability to persevere. 

Another applicant wrote her personal statement about being two years old when her parents died and how she (with help from aunts and uncles) raised her younger siblings. 

Related stories

"The challenge was powerful, but she somehow managed to get her undergraduate education, work, and keep her siblings on track to also attend college," Schwartz said. 

Remember there's diversity of thought, too

While law schools want all races, nationalities, ethnicities, and genders represented in their student body, applicants often overlook the fact that admissions directors are also looking for people who think differently.

Last year, Schwartz had an applicant who was pro-life. The applicant told him about a time when she met a group of pro-choice students and they discussed their beliefs together. What transpired, he said, was a fascinating conversation that spanned not just the pro-life/pro-choice divide, but religion and women's rights, too. 

"At the end, no one changed sides, but at least they all heard the other one out and there was a mutual respect," he said. The applicant realized she was never going to turn her pro-choice friends into pro-life supporters and turned the highly charged conversation into a learning experience. 

"She was gathering information, researching how pro-choice people defend their point of view," Schwartz said. "She saw it as a good way to learn good interrogation techniques, to ask follow-up questions, to make her friend defend her opinion in a way that might have made an opening to prove her friend wrong." 

In the end, Schwartz wasn't surprised she was accepted into a top 10 law school. 

It's OK to be a little funny

Bringing humor into your application may feel like going out on a limb, but Schwartz said it's "not the risk you may think it is."

"Being light and fun is like a gift to admissions officers, something unexpected. When I hear a story or perspective that I think would work, I wholeheartedly support a lighter tone," he said. 

One applicant of his told a story about a bachelor party he attended where he drew the short straw and had to be the designated driver. 

"In the story, he lamented about not being able to enjoy himself as much as his friends did at the party," Schwartz said. "But as the night went on, he saw his role being the designated driver as an important role which he took seriously. The night got way out of hand, and he ended up putting out many fires, and no one got into trouble." 

The takeaway of his story was subtle. "The experience of being the designated driver showed the applicant to be responsible and trustworthy, cool-headed, and supportive," Schwartz said.

Watch: This Facebook exec cofounded and then got fired from Pets.com. Here's why she is no longer hiding from this failure.

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The Role of Diversity Statements in Law School Applications: Examples and Tips

Discover the importance of diversity statements in law school applications with our comprehensive guide.

Posted May 12, 2023

Featuring Machmud M.

Deciding Which Law School to Attend

Tuesday, april 2.

7:00 PM UTC · 60 minutes

In recent years, law schools across the country have placed an increased emphasis on building diverse student bodies. As a result, many law school applications now require a diversity statement in addition to more traditional elements such as transcripts, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. But what exactly are diversity statements, why do they matter, and how do you write an effective one? In this article, we’ll explore the role of diversity statements in law school applications and provide you with tips and examples to help you craft a compelling statement that sets you apart from other applicants.

Why Diversity Statements Matter in Law School Applications

Firstly, it’s important to understand why diversity statements have become such an integral part of the law school admissions process. While grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities provide a sense of a candidate’s academic and personal strengths, diversity statements expand upon the experiences and perspectives that have shaped a candidate's worldview. This can help admissions officers get a fuller picture of an applicant’s potential contributions to the law school community.

Furthermore, diversity statements also serve as a way for law schools to demonstrate their commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment. By actively seeking out and admitting students from a variety of backgrounds, law schools can foster a community that values different perspectives and experiences. This can lead to more meaningful discussions and a richer educational experience for all students.

Understanding What Law Schools Look for in Diversity Statements

So, what exactly are law schools looking for in a diversity statement? Admissions officers are interested in hearing about your unique experiences and how they’ve shaped your perspective on the world. This means that you should avoid making generalizations about your background or identity and instead focus on specific anecdotes or examples that showcase your character and values. Use your diversity statement to help create a sense of who you are as a person and what you have to offer the law school community.

Additionally, it's important to keep in mind that diversity encompasses more than just race and ethnicity. Law schools are also interested in hearing about your experiences with different cultures, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, and abilities. Don't be afraid to share how these experiences have influenced your worldview and how you can contribute to a diverse and inclusive law school environment.

How to Write a Compelling Diversity Statement: Tips and Tricks

Writing a compelling diversity statement involves a combination of introspection and storytelling. Our tips and tricks will help you start strong:

• Be specific: Avoid making broad statements, and instead focus on specific examples that illustrate your personal story.
• Show, don’t tell: Don’t simply tell the admissions committee that you are a diverse candidate; use descriptive language to show them what sets you apart.
• Stay true to yourself: Be honest and authentic when sharing your experiences and perspective.
• Aim for concise, clear writing: Use clear and concise language that highlights your unique perspective; avoid using jargon, technical terms, or flowery language.

When writing your diversity statement, it's important to consider the audience you are writing for. Admissions committees are looking for candidates who will bring a unique perspective to their program, so make sure to highlight what makes you stand out.

Additionally, don't be afraid to address any challenges or obstacles you have faced related to diversity. Sharing how you have overcome adversity can demonstrate resilience and strength, and can make your statement even more compelling.

Crafting a Unique Narrative for Your Diversity Statement

One of your main goals when writing a diversity statement is to create a unique narrative that sets you apart from other applicants. To achieve this, try to answer the following questions:

• What experiences have I had that have shaped my perspective on the world?
• What challenges have I faced, and how have they helped me grow?
• What makes me unique, and how does this contribute to my ability to succeed in law school?

It is important to remember that your diversity statement should not only focus on your personal experiences, but also on how those experiences have influenced your desire to contribute to a diverse and inclusive community. You can also consider discussing any initiatives or projects you have been involved in that promote diversity and inclusion, or any future goals you have in this area. By highlighting your commitment to diversity and inclusion, you can demonstrate to law schools that you are not only a unique candidate, but also a valuable addition to their community.

Examples of Effective Diversity Statements for Law School Applications

Reading examples of effective diversity statements can be a great way to see what works and what doesn’t. Here are some excerpts from successful statements:

"As a first-generation college student from a low-income household, I have had to overcome numerous obstacles in my pursuit of higher education. These challenges have not only strengthened my resilience and determination but have also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the value of education."

"Growing up in a multicultural household has given me a unique perspective on the world. My bilingualism has allowed me to connect with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, and has inspired me to seek a career in public service."

"In addition to my personal experiences with diversity, I have also actively sought out opportunities to engage with and learn from individuals from different backgrounds. Through volunteering at a local community center and participating in a study abroad program, I have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the importance of diversity and inclusion in all aspects of society."

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Writing Your Diversity Statement

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to writing a diversity statement, there are some common mistakes that applicants make that you can avoid. Here are a few:

• Don’t rely solely on your demographics: While race, ethnic background, and cultural heritage are important parts of diversity, they do not guarantee that your statement will be compelling on their own. Don’t simply rehash what is listed on your application.
• Don’t write a sob story: It’s important to show resilience and perseverance when discussing challenges you’ve faced, but be careful not to come across as a victim. Focus on how you’ve overcome your challenges and what you’ve learned from them.
• Avoid clichés: Phrases like “I’ve always been interested in law because I want to help people” are overused and unoriginal. Instead, focus on specific experiences and show, don’t tell.

One mistake to avoid is making your diversity statement too general. It’s important to be specific about your experiences and how they have shaped your perspective on diversity. This will make your statement more unique and memorable to the reader.

Another mistake to avoid is using overly academic language. While it’s important to demonstrate your writing skills, using complex language can make your statement difficult to understand. Instead, aim for clear and concise language that effectively communicates your ideas.

How to Highlight Your Unique Experiences and Background

One of the most important aspects of writing a diversity statement is putting your unique perspective and experiences front and center. When discussing your background or identity, focus on specific anecdotes and experiences that have shaped your perspective, rather than generalizations.

It is also important to consider the intersectionality of your identity and experiences. For example, if you are a person of color who is also a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you may have unique experiences and perspectives that are shaped by both aspects of your identity. Be sure to highlight these intersections and how they have influenced your worldview.

Additionally, don't be afraid to discuss any challenges or obstacles you have faced as a result of your identity. Sharing how you have overcome adversity can demonstrate resilience and strength, and can also help others who may be facing similar challenges feel seen and heard.

The Importance of Authenticity in Your Diversity Statement

Perhaps the most important aspect of writing a diversity statement is being authentic and honest. Don’t try to present yourself as someone you’re not in an attempt to fit a certain mold. Admissions officers are looking for candidates who are true to themselves and values.

Being authentic in your diversity statement not only helps you stand out as a candidate, but it also allows you to showcase your unique experiences and perspectives. Your diversity statement should reflect your personal journey and how it has shaped your understanding of diversity and inclusion. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to writing a diversity statement, so don't be afraid to share your own story and voice.

Addressing Potential Challenges or Obstacles in Your Diversity Statement

When discussing challenges or obstacles you’ve faced, it’s important to focus on how you’ve overcome them and what you’ve learned, rather than simply describing the challenges themselves. This can be a powerful way to illustrate resilience, perseverance, and determination.

Using Language Effectively in Your Diversity Statement

Effective use of language is key to writing a strong diversity statement. Here are some tips:

• Use descriptive language that evokes emotion and helps the admissions committee get to know you better.
• Avoid clichés and generic language; instead, use words and phrases that are specific to you and your experiences.
• Consider varying sentence length and structure to create a sense of rhythm and flow.
• Proofread your statement carefully to avoid grammar or spelling errors.

Tips for Tailoring Your Diversity Statement to Different Law Schools

While your core diversity statement may remain the same, you may want to tailor it to specific law schools or programs. Consider researching the mission statement or values of each program and incorporating those themes into your statement.

How to Use Your Diversity Statement to Stand Out Among Other Applicants

Writing a strong diversity statement can help you stand out among other law school applicants. Use your statement to demonstrate what makes you unique, showcase your character and values, and highlight how you will contribute to the law school community.

The Impact of a Strong Diversity Statement on Law School Admissions

A strong diversity statement can have a significant impact on law school admissions. Admissions officers want to build diverse student bodies, and a thoughtful and well-crafted diversity statement can help make you a stand-out candidate.

What Admissions Officers Really Want to See in a Diversity Statement

At the end of the day, what admissions officers really want to see in a diversity statement is authenticity and uniqueness. They want to get to know you better and understand what sets you apart from other candidates.

By following these tips and crafting a compelling diversity statement, you can increase your chances of standing out among other law school applicants and ultimately securing a spot in your dream program.

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The Law School Applicant’s Guide to the Diversity Statement

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Most law schools offer applicants an opportunity to write a short diversity statement illustrating how their diverse background and upbringing has impacted their lives. Law schools understand that a diverse student body benefits students, faculty, and the school community at large. Though not required, this statement supplements the applicants' admissions materials with information about their life experiences.

A diversity statement can also help your application and offer further insight into why you are an ideal candidate for admission. Note, however, that you should not address any of the topics or ideas covered in the personal statement. It should be a complement, not a replacement for your personal essay. The two should work together to provide a complete portrait of you, the applicant, without being repetitive.

Key Takeaways: Diversity Statement for Law School Application

• The diversity statement is an opportunity to tell the admissions committee how your unique experiences as part of a diverse group can enrich the school's environment. It is different to your personal essay, which addresses why you want to go to law school and why you are qualified to attend.
• Be sure to consider the school's definition of diversity. It may include race, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity, among other characteristics.
• The diversity statement should be personal and reflective in tone.
• Your statement should be short, but memorable. Aim for about 500 words, but no more than 800.

Reasons to Write a Diversity Statement

When schools and colleges talk about diversity, they're discussing how people with different backgrounds and varied life experiences work together and learn from each other. Diversity expands students' outlook by allowing them to share their varied cultures and backgrounds. 

A strong diversity statement can illustrate how your particular background and life experience can bring a unique perspective to your law school class. But before you begin, make sure you understand how each law school would like you to address the topic of diversity. The term itself and its implications can have different meanings to different people, and law schools are no exception. Some schools may have a broad definition, while others ask that student statements reflect only racial, ethnic, gender, or sexual identity issues. New York University Law School , for example, broadly describes diversity as "all aspects of human differences (including, but not limited to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, etc.) that give an application a unique perspective different from the general application pool." Your statement should illustrate how your experience as a member of a diverse community impacted your upbringing and shaped your understanding of the world.

Make sure your statement addresses only the type of diversity the law school wants to address. For example, some schools, such as the University of California—Berkeley , ask students who have experienced disadvantages that adversely affected their performance but were successfully overcome to complete a socioeconomic questionnaire with their application materials. Other schools, such as Harvard , allow applicants to submit an additional statement to explain further how their background can contribute to the diversity of the law school community.

Reasons Not to Write a Diversity Statement

If your particular type of diversity doesn't speak to any of the characteristics outlined in the law school application, don't submit one. If you can't think of anything or if writing something feels in any way forced or artificial, don't provide one. Former Yale Law School Dean Asha Rangappa counseled students against submitting superfluous additional material: "While you can include as much information as you like, you also want to be judicious in the number and amount of additional essays/addenda that you provide. ...If you do choose to write a diversity essay, please, PLEASE try to be serious about it and make sure it is something that has truly shaped your experiences and perspectives. Do NOT write a diversity statement on how you are "a good listener" or something similar."

The diversity statement is entirely different from the personal statement. The personal statement explains why you want to go to law school and why you are qualified to attend. The diversity statement is an opportunity to tell the admission committee what you can uniquely bring to the law school experience.

American University suggests first thinking about how you define diversity and then asking how your experience played a part in your personal growth. Then, consider the ways you might embody that diversity and how you can contribute to the overall culture at the school and as part of the profession.

Length and Formatting

Most admissions departments prefer the diversity statement to be no longer than one double-spaced page with one-inch margins, so aim for about 500 but no more than 800 words. Look for sample diversity statements in your school's websites to gain further insight and to understand what topics and formatting each school requires.

Choosing a Subject

You must keep your statement short but memorable. You should address one topic only: you, your background, and your family. Everything else belongs in your personal statement. Use the limited space you have to tell a brief story about your diverse background. Many students do this by choosing one moment or incident that reveals something significant about who they are. For example, one student might write about her experiences performing traditional Chinese dance as a way to talk about both her Chinese heritage and the discipline she learned from dancing. Other examples of statements that have impressed admissions counselors—according to US News —include a former waitress who wrote movingly about the plight of the working poor from her co-workers' perspectives, and a house-painter's statement about learning about integrity, dedication, and optimism from his fellow painters. An HIV-positive applicant discussed the strength he developed through coping with his diagnosis.

Tips for Getting Started

Before beginning to write your statement, take some time to look back on your own life, and ask yourself what makes your experience different from most other applicants. Some examples might include: 

• Growing up in a particular religious tradition
• Living with a chronic illness or disability
• Serving in the military
• Being an older student or a single parent returning to school
• Issues related to sexual orientation
• Growing up in poverty, addiction, or abusive circumstances

When you have a moment or an experience in mind, stop to consider how it may have influenced you as well as your decision to attend law school. A good plan of attack is to draft an outline before you begin to write. Begin with a persuasive paragraph giving the reader a roadmap to the experiences you're going to describe. The next two or three paragraphs should take the reader into your world and your experience. Be as descriptive as you can. The last paragraph should conclude by saying why this experience has helped prepare you for law school. Read a few more examples of diversity statements to help you format your own. 

Voice and Tone

The diversity statement should be personal and reflective in tone . Write about your experiences sincerely and in your own voice. Even though you may be writing about difficult moments in your life, your overall tone should be positive. Avoid hints of self-pity, and don't suggest that your background can or should excuse any flaws in your application profile. In your own words, tell the story of a moment that taught you something positive about yourself.

A good diversity statement should illustrate how these experiences helped to give you insights that will make you an asset to the law school community. Even if you are writing about a painful or negative experience, try to end your statement on a positive note. Admissions officers want to read a story that illustrates how where you came from has influenced who you are why that path has led you to law school. Did it give you a depth of understanding your peers may not have? State how it inspired you to become an advocate for others in similar circumstances? Make sure this last paragraph ties where you came from to your desire to become an attorney. 

• "Diversity Statement Resource Guide." American University College of Law . https://www.wcl.american.edu/career/documents/diversity-statement-resource-guide/
• “Application Components.”  Yale Law School , https://law.yale.edu/admissions/jd-admissions/first-year-applicants/application.
• O'Connor, Shawn P. “3 Ways Personal, Diversity Statements Differ in Law School Applications.”  U.S. News & World Report , U.S. News & World Report, 17 Aug. 2015, https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/law-admissions-lowdown/2015/08/17/3-ways-personal-diversity-statements-differ-in-law-school-applications.
• O'Connor, Shawn P. “How to Discuss Diversity in Your Law School Applications.”  U.S. News & World Report , U.S. News & World Report, 10 June 2013, https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/law-admissions-lowdown/2013/06/10/how-to-discuss-diversity-in-your-law-school-applications.
• Shemmassian, Shirag. “How to Write an Amazing Law School Diversity Statement.”  Shemmassian Academic Consulting , Shemmassian Academic Consulting, 31 Jan. 2019, https://www.shemmassianconsulting.com/blog/diversity-statement-law-school.
• Spivey, Mike. “Examples of Successful Diversity Statements.”  Spivey Consulting , Spivey Consulting, 29 May 2018, https://blog.spiveyconsulting.com/examples-of-diversity-statements/.
• “The Law School Diversity Statement.”  The Law School Diversity Statement , http://cas.nyu.edu/content/nyu-as/cas/prelaw/handbook/Law-School-Application-Process/the-law-school-diversity-statement.html.
• “What's a Diversity Statement and How Do You Make Yours Stand Out?”  Best Masters Degrees & Masters Programs 2020 , 18 Apr. 2018, https://www.lawstudies.com/article/whats-a-diversity-statement-and-how-do-you-make-yours-stand-out/.
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Personal and Diversity Statements Differ for Law School

While personal statement prompts are fairly consistent, diversity statements vary widely.

2 Different Law School Essays

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Diversity statements have grown more diverse themselves, ranging widely from school to school.

The diversity statement was already one of the most misunderstood elements of the law school application. Then, in June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a pair of decisions that overturned race-conscious admissions policies, forcing law schools to overhaul how they ask about diversity in their applications.

As a result of these changes, diversity statements have grown more diverse themselves, ranging widely from school to school. And they are likely to continue to diverge in the future, as law schools take different approaches to building diverse classes without running afoul of the law.

Since schools are no longer allowed to ask about candidates’ race or ethnicity, law school essays no longer mention these factors. But many ask about a candidate’s background or life experience. Some ask about a candidate’s experience with promoting inclusivity, working together with people coming from different perspectives or fighting racism or bias.

Importantly, the Supreme Court’s decisions specifically allow applicants to mention or discuss their own race or ethnicity, particularly as a factor in their own life experience. So, for example, it’s okay to talk about your ethnic identity, family background and experience with bias. You may do so in your personal statement or any other essays or materials.

It is also important to understand that law schools absolutely still value diversity, both in the sense that they want to build diverse classes and in the sense that they take into account hardships that applicants have faced because of their experience.

So, how can admissions offices account for an applicant’s full life experience without intentionally considering an applicant’s race or ethnicity? Answering that question is a burden that the Supreme Court placed on admissions offices, not you.

As an applicant, your focus should be on how to navigate these new variants of diversity statements. Exploring the major differences between the personal statement and diversity statement can help answer many of the questions that applicants have about the diversity statement, including what it is, who should write one and how to approach it. 

Diversity Statements Are Usually Optional

Every law school requires applicants to write a personal statement, the primary written essay for the law school application. In contrast, a diversity statement is almost always an optional essay .

Some law schools now require a statement of perspective or experience in addition to their personal statement, but these statements have a very broad prompt that could encompass a range of life experiences or influences beyond race or ethnicity .

Putting aside those few cases, nearly every other law school allows applicants to write some form of optional diversity statement, and no law school would regret receiving a short and insightful diversity statement.

But applicants should read prompts carefully before deciding whether to write one. For example, being a veteran  or in active military service may fit some schools’ diversity statement prompts but not others. In the latter cases, it may be best to highlight this aspect of your background elsewhere in the application, like your personal statement or resume . 

Diversity Statement Prompts Vary Widely Between Schools

Few law school applications now have an essay called a “diversity statement.”

In its place, some law schools have introduced a perspective statement, an identity statement, a statement of challenge or adversity , or another variation on the theme. Others provide an array of optional prompts, one or more of which touch on issues of diversity or simply provide space for applicants to write an open-ended essay about a topic of their choice.

Applicants should read these prompts carefully. There is often overlap between a statement about your perspective and a statement about your identity, but they may be framed differently in ways that will require at least some rewriting.

In contrast, law schools tend to have similar personal statement prompts about the reasons an applicant is applying to law school. Some personal statement prompts include extra questions, perhaps about an applicant’s interest in a specific school.

Applicants may also tailor their personal statement to meet differing length requirements. But otherwise, the same personal statement can generally be used for all schools. 

Not Everyone Should Write a Diversity Statement

Many applicants have the mistaken belief that writing a diversity statement is always a good idea, because law schools are looking for diversity. Or they may have the misimpression that law schools want applicants to write as much as allowed .

But a misconceived diversity statement can backfire and seem insensitive or trivializing. Everyone is different in some ways, and law applicants are not as monolithic as they once were. Many applicants come from minority backgrounds, and most applicants identify as women.

A diversity statement is not simply a place to talk about what distinguishes you from other people. It is not a place to detail your genetic or family history. Its contents should be guided by the wording of the prompt, but generally it is intended more to discuss the perspectives you developed, the lessons you gained or the challenges you have faced because of your background or life experiences. 

Diversity Statements Should Be Approached Differently

Just because you can write a diversity statement doesn’t mean you should. The diversity statement should complement your personal statement with extra context, not reiterate it.

For example, if you come from an Indigenous background and plan to devote your legal career to advocating for Native rights, that may be a great topic for your personal statement. In that case, there’s no reason to repeat the same information in your diversity statement. The reader already knows about your background. You could instead write an optional essay about a different topic or forgo it altogether.

However, if you come from an Indigenous background but are most interested in energy law for unrelated reasons, a diversity statement will save you from making an unfair choice between discussing your career goals and your heritage. Law schools want to give you space to discuss both.

Your diversity and personal statements may differ in tone as well as subject. A personal statement is about your achievements and dreams, and it may sound a bit self-aggrandizing . A diversity statement should be more reflective and self-aware, showing that you have the maturity to engage with others with different points of view.

It can be hard to strike the right tone in your diversity statement, and it may take a few drafts. Avoid self-pity, self-justification and persistent negativity. Focus on your experience, how it shaped you and what you bring to the table because of it.

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About Law Admissions Lowdown

Law Admissions Lowdown provides advice to prospective students about the law school application process, LSAT prep and potential career paths. Previously authored by contributors from Stratus Admissions Counseling, the blog is currently authored by Gabriel Kuris, founder of Top Law Coach , an admissions consultancy. Kuris is a graduate of Harvard Law School and has helped hundreds of applicants navigate the law school application process since 2003. Got a question? Email [email protected] .

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Examples of Successful Diversity Statements

We've been asked for examples of diversity statements many times; below are several great ones. It is important to note that diversity statements are truly optional, and not everyone should write one. Contrary to what you may have heard, it is not a missed opportunity to write more about yourself. In fact, we wrote a blog a few years ago on when you should write a diversity statement . We hope these examples are helpful!

Living in the bubble of suburban [City], my family was treated like a blemish on its pristine surface. A house with a black father and white mother, along with a handful of mixed kids, easily stood out in our predominantly white neighborhood. Though some families talked about us, and never to us, my father always reinforced the importance of our lineage and helped immerse me in our culture.

Our family comes from a small village in upper Egypt; its proximity to Sudan and prevalence of Nubian lifestyles created a melting pot of cultures that encapsulates my identity as a first-generation Muslim African American. Although kids made fun of my skin tone and practices, my father taught me to be proud to emphasize the African in being African American. My peers’ derogatory comments and terrorist jokes were so common I became desensitized to the insults. And though I spoke out against their hateful rhetoric, my words seemed only to bounce off the Kevlar vest that is ignorance. It wasn’t until years later, while working on an election campaign, that I found the solution.

A state representative had asked me to stand a few feet farther from the door than the typical distance of my white coworkers while canvassing door-to-door because my dark skin could scare off potential voters. In that moment, she treated me not like the seasoned campaign veteran I was, or even as a person, but as a liability. I pulled the campaign manager aside and talked to him about the representative’s crass comments; from that day forward I helped to advise the campaign on diversity and inclusion issues. Learning about these topics allowed our staff to understand the issues facing underrepresented members of the community, and thus allowed us to better represent the entire district.

That experience taught me the power of education in changing people’s perceptions and led me to use my positions as a platform for diversity issues. As a debater, I promoted racial and ethnic understanding in round by reading from Afro-pessimism or Afrocentricity to broaden my opponent’s perspective. While chief justice of the Student Government Supreme Court, I worked with the student president to create a proposal for a mandatory diversity and equity class that would later be presented to the Faculty Senate.

I am proud of my African background and black ancestry as it has given me the opportunity to shape the outlook of people I meet. Skin tone and religion do not justify malicious behavior, which is why I strive to educate as many people as possible to create a world more accepting of all identities.

I was raised by a single mother, but my home was filled with family. My mother, sister, and I shared a room with two twin-size beds. My aunts, uncles, five cousins, and grandparents shared the two remaining bedrooms. In total, there were thirteen people sharing a three-bedroom, one-bathroom home. For the children, the nonstop playtime and carefree memories mitigated the obstacles that came with our socioeconomic insufficiency. For me, our tight-knit family and living situation made it much easier to overcome the absence of my father.

My father represented many of the negative stereotypes that Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants have to combat. He immigrated to the United States as a young adult and fell into a life of criminal activity during our city’s booming methamphetamine trade. His choices had an adverse impact on not only my family, but also our community at large. I was somewhat sheltered from learning too much about my father, but I knew enough to feel burdened with shame. In fact, that feeling was so strong that I became fixated on the goal of creating a life opposite to that which my father had built.

Pursuing a brighter future did not come without obstacles in my neighborhood and family. Rejecting the criminal element in our community required a deliberate choice to exclude myself from the majority and often made me feel left out. Many of my peers criticized me and called me stuck up or “white washed” because of the choices I made. My family fully supported my goals, but their own education levels and unfamiliarity with the college admission process restricted the amount of guidance they were able to provide. Counselors at my high school were overloaded by high dropout rates and unable to focus on college bound students. It was the small acts of support and encouragement that ultimately got me to overcome my inhibitions and fears of the unknown and pursue a bachelor’s degree: a friend who told me what the SAT was, a teacher who explained the FAFSA and college deadlines. These processes seem basic to some, but can be overwhelming to a first-generation student to the point where it becomes easier to put it off or quit altogether.

I did not spend my entire youth in that overcrowded yet comforting home. Eventually, my mother remarried and we were able to move out of my grandparents’ house. But I still know what its like to feel insecure about where you come from and what you lack—it is something I will carry with me throughout my life and career. My education and career goals have been shaped by my background, and I will continue to aim high despite the challenges that may come my way.

For as long as I can remember, I outwardly portrayed myself as a calm and controlled individual. It is a true reflection of my demeanor, but it is the complete opposite of what I have lived throughout my childhood and adolescence. When I was in fourth grade, my father admitted to me that he was addicted to crack. At the time I did not understand what crack addiction meant, but I was educated by his actions soon enough. Shortly after this confession, the family structure I knew and loved began to collapse. In addition to my family’s dissolution, the neighborhood we lived in is not a place where success stories are born or a location people would visit without important cause. My neighborhood could be described as a breeding ground for gangs, drugs, violence, and anarchy. One of the few bright spots of growing up in my neighborhood is the chemistry children had with one another by having similar troubles at home. It was not uncommon for my neighborhood friends to have a drug abusing parent, a single parent household, alcoholic parents, or experience domestic violence. Even though my father’s addiction clouded his judgment, both he and my mother always warned me about the dangers of our neighborhood. I was not allowed to cross the street without their supervision due to gang members on the corner selling drugs, and playing outside at night was dangerous due to occasional shootings. Growing up in a neighborhood like mine was a double edged sword; it was dangerous, but our common struggles made it easy to relate to one another.

Living with a drug addicted parent was full of uncertainty and confusion. There were many break-ins, but I always had a strange feeling about these break-ins because although valuables were stolen, certain sentimental items of value would remain untouched. I did not learn until much later in life that my father was the one stealing from us. Eventually my mother left my father and moved out in the beginning of my seventh grade year. My sister and I stayed with our father.

In winter the heating bills went unpaid and the temperature in the house would drop to the low forties. My sister and I would walk to the local laundromat at night and warm our blankets and pillows in the dryer in order to have heat through the night. Money for food was scarce, and my sister and I became accustomed to eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner out of vending machines on a budget of six dollars a day. Although this experience was mentally and physically damaging, it served as motivation for me to strive for a better life and made me never want to regress to that standard of living.

After about a year of living with my father, I began my eighth grade year at my mom’s new home in a different neighborhood. I was separated from my childhood friends for that year, but we reunited the next year as freshmen in high school. Things had changed in that year: the friends that I grew up with became the gang members that my parents warned me about as a child. Out of all of my childhood friends, I was the only one to go on to college, let alone finish high school. The toughest part of my transition to my mother’s new home was this shift away from my childhood friends. Living with the feeling of turning my back on them by cutting off communication with them during high school was an isolating experience. If teachers saw me with them, I would be categorized as a gang member, or worse, if other gang members noticed then they would try to attack me because they thought I was a rival. I tried to explain this to my friends but they could not understand and eventually the friendships grew cold.

During the end of my ninth grade year, I was still adjusting to my new life. Although I no longer physically lived in that neighborhood, I still felt like I was alone and was stuck in the same position. My closest friends, the ones I could relate to, were all on a downward spiral in life; at the same time, I could not relate to the students in my honors courses. Many were discussing vacation trips, showing off new clothes or getting a new car for their birthday when getting their driving permit. While some of my classmates were planning on taking family vacations to Disneyland, I was planning to visit my father who had been recently arrested and was serving jail time for robbery. Instead of having memories of helping my parents wash their car in the front yard or riding a bicycle on the sidewalk as a child, I remember seeing people get shot and killed in my neighborhood or seeing a pregnant woman smoking crack.

Sophomore year of high school proved to be the lowest and most humbling part of my life. I remember vividly the moment I found out that I lost my first two friends to gang violence. “V is dead and J is arrested.” Those words made my heart race as I learned J killed V over a drug deal. At the funeral I approached V’s mother and offered my condolences. In a traumatized voice, she whispered to me, “I wished you could have taken V away with you and saved my son.” I can still hear her voice today speaking those words, and the chills still make my bones shiver.

There was a lot of guilt in the weeks that followed; I felt like there was more I could have done to steer them in the right direction. I began to replay my childhood and explore my life direction and I decided a change was needed. All of my experiences up until that point started to serve as an inspiration to become better than where I started and continue to build myself into a stronger person. My natural disposition allows me to see the positive things in every situation, and I realize that no matter how dire the situation seems, it could be worse. Many people say that phrase not knowing what that worse actually is. But I know. Opportunities that have come my way are very much appreciated, and I intend to make the most of them. Knowing where I once was, I am confident in my accomplishments and hopeful for future generations as I start a new trend in my family and build a strong foundation. My childhood is not a weight that drags me down; instead it has become the strength to push through adversity when challenges arise.

My life was supposed to be simple. I wanted to make my parents happy, to give us the future they desired. Winning Quran memorization competitions, fasting, and praying daily: my religious beliefs guided me throughout my childhood. After the September 11th attacks festered resentment for Muslims across the nation, I faced religiously charged backlash in my public school; as a result, I transferred to an Islamic school where I hoped to blend in better. It was clear, though, that another difference would soon set me apart.

My new classmates were quick to point out my effeminate mannerisms that unintentionally flowed from the flicks of my wrist. I, following my natural inclinations, also didn’t consider the implications of knitting in lieu of building toy airplanes. As my sexuality blossomed and the homophobic rhetoric harshened, I wrestled with conflicting feelings of living authentically and living without fear. I questioned whether my religious beliefs could sustain what I knew to be true about myself. I couldn’t see a way through to safe ground.

As a result, comforted by its familiarity, I resigned to the security of the proverbial closet. Clothing myself with a wardrobe of feeble masculinity, I prayed my actions would become my sexuality. By denying my identity, I rejected a part of myself for the sake of my parents. In my head, I was a martyr, bravely sacrificing for the greater good of my family. In my heart, I was a heretic, terrified to openly challenge my religious dogma and familial values.

Over time, though, the need to live genuinely became too great to deny. Sitting in a mosque attending a traditional Pakistani wedding, my own future telescoped before me. As I observed the beaming couple, I realized I would one day face a similar choice. How could I look into the eyes of a woman and speak of love as if I felt it between us? Dejected, I finally understood that what some call the closet felt more like a coffin. What once felt familiar was now incompatible.

Professing my queer identity to my parents swelled our home with such a rage that our relationship fragmented in an instant. They believed homosexuality was incompatible with Islam, and reparative therapy was the only cure for my dis-orientation. They kicked me out of the house and, with no place to stay, I happened to find a Buddhist abbey with a room to rent.

My struggle to reconcile religion and sexuality had left me ambivalent towards religious practice. So, initially, the abbey was only a place to sleep: a momentary reprieve from school and three jobs. Yet, the ringing bells and chanting monks, which now replaced my alarm clock, slowly tugged on my inquisitive nature.

Using my experience as a guide, I studied Buddhism from a neutral lens. As I began to explore the subtle boundaries of cultural practice and religious dogma, I recognized how unadulterated doctrine is assimilated into deeper cultural undertones. Just as some pervert scriptures of the Quran to promote acts of terrorism, others craft its teachings to legitimize homosexual prejudice. My spiritual introspection has galvanized my Islamic understanding: I am a Queer Muslim. I reclaim my faith with a broader interpretation of the Quran – one that advocates inclusion. Through self-reflection, analysis, and contemplation, the fabric of my identity evolves.

In America, the Queer community continues to face prejudice. Yet, in Pakistani society we struggle with blatant persecution. In coming out to my mother, I remember the disgust emanating from her curled lips and grimace. At the time, I took it as a clear sign: believing in Islam had failed me. Today, I am able to use this foreboding memory to fuel new purpose in my advocacy work. My parents still struggle with my coming out, but by shifting the paradigm from myself to empowering my Queer Muslim community, I hope to serve others who endure a similar experience.

As a child, I never found it odd that my parents were immigrants, spoke English with heavy accents, and were only minimally educated. My mother arrived in the United States from the Dominican Republic at a young age, and although she was unfamiliar with the language, she made a fervent effort to forge a new and better life for herself. My father arrived to the U.S., from Ghana, under similar pretenses and worked hard to take advantage of the plethora of opportunities he found here. With their heavily accented English and menial jobs, my parents fostered an environment of love and support that allowed me to construct an identity that truly reflects the social, economic, and ethnic histories that have formed me. Because they were new to the area and struggling financially, my parents decided to settle in the most affordable area they could find, the South Bronx. The South Bronx is everything the media portrays it to be; dangerous, destitute and adverse. Nevertheless, it is still home, and as much as I have resisted it, growing up in the South Bronx has also had an undeniable impact on me.

As a college freshman, the many layers of my diversity unfolded in an inharmonious manner. It took me some time to integrate my experiences as a first-generation Latino and African American and a South Bronx native. I did not find many other students who shared my background when I began my undergraduate studies at the College of the Holy Cross. Along with standing out as one of the few persons of color, I also was an outlier socioeconomically. I soon began to feel inferior about my life and background. I avoided conversations that involved my home life and began wishing for another. I longed for affluent, American parents with professional careers. I desired the lavish home in the serene neighborhood or the summerhouse in Martha's Vineyard; I wanted to live the lives of the other Holy Cross students. Soon these longings festered into embarrassment towards my parents. I silently accused them of being lazy, choosing to be uneducated and thus forcing us to live in the South Bronx. I essentially blamed them for making me different in every possible sense.

Over time, I began to grasp that although I had a different racial and socioeconomic background than the majority of my classmates, these differences were not negative or adverse. My distinct experiences allowed me to stand out from many other students at my college; these experiences became sources of pride and strength. My background brought a fresh voice to the classroom setting, something that my professors greatly valued. As I fostered my perspective, I learned to develop and utilize this voice by speaking up and adding my diverse experiences to class discussions. I identified with the experiences of authors like Junot Diaz and Esmeralda Santiago, who both lived in impoverished ghettos and faced the difficulties of having immigrant parents unaccustomed to the American way of life. I frequently contributed to discussions examining the social and academic difficulties Black students face on predominantly White college campuses. I began to understand that I needed to embrace my diversity rather than suppress it. Consequently, I began to value my multifaceted identity and came to trust in the significance of my diversity.

As I embark on a legal education, my experiences, not just as a person of color, but as a biracial and bicultural son of low income African and Latino immigrants, can help me contribute to the law school environment as well as the legal field. Diversity of thought and perspective are paramount in the study of law, and my unique voice can serve as an asset, allowing me to represent and bring forth the experiences of those who may not have a platform from which to do so.

Deciding on the diversity statement for law school admissions

The diversity statement is intended to tell law schools about an experience you’ve had, typically based on some aspect of one’s identity (e.g., gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, family education background) that will make you a unique contributor to an incoming class. These essays are meant to be meaningful – what is something about your identity that actually distinguishes you from others. It will be very, very bad for your application if it comes off that you “wrote it just to write it.” To give some context, in my five years of law school admissions coaching, I have only encouraged four students to write it.

If you are thinking about the diversity statement, I suggest you ask yourself three questions:

Do you have a topic in mind that you feel moved to write about.

This is not the time to work through writer’s block and get something on the page, as might have to be the case with the personal statement. If you don’t have something in mind, based on just a bit of brainstorming and reflection, just don’t do it. It is truly optional – there is no value add to writing anything but a stellar, profound essay.

What types of adversity have you gone through?

Relatedly, while the essay is called the “diversity statement,” students often, and appropriately, write about adversity they have experienced related to some aspect of their identity. This gives law schools the opportunity to assess their experience more comprehensively – instead of just seeing demographic background, they get to learn a little bit more about what types of hardships the student has gone through, and how these experiences will contribute to a diverse class.

Often, students want to write about a unique skill (unicycling, Olympic swimming), a unique academic interest (local history, airplane design). While I won’t say that you should never write about these topics, you absolutely must think about how it will be read alongside the greater diversity statement pool. People will be writing about real trauma – racial violence, gender-affirmation surgery, sexism in the workplace. Is your essay about pogo-stick racing going to sound as serious as these deep, life-altering experiences? Above all, be very, very careful. This is perhaps especially true when writing about diversity of political views, or moments of ideological isolation.

How connected is the diversity statement with your legal interests?

Relatedly, the more aligned your diversity statement is with your legal interests, the better. A disconnected statement about your time growing up abroad isn’t the assignment. Instead, try and channel your background into your legal interests. For example, did growing up all over the world cement your interest in combating human rights abuses? Did an experience with the police motivate you to pursue a career in criminal legal reform? Do you want to practice movement lawyering after experiencing workplace discrimination? These are the types of connections that can really make these essays stand out.

Any statement that is not topically connected to your legal interests, and at least tangentially connected to experiencing diversity, should almost never be written. Work with your CC admissions coach – they will have a good sense of appropriate topics!

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Should You Write a Diversity Statement for Law School?

• by M Hope Echales
• Sep 23, 2015
• Admissions, Personal Statements
• Reviewed by: Matt Riley

Everyone knows you need to write a personal statement when applying to law school, but did you know you might need to write a diversity statement too?

Before I share tips on how to write one, let’s first talk about the purpose of the diversity statement.

Good law schools want a rich learning environment for their students. A rich learning environment involves the inclusion of different perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and philosophies contributing to the dialogue, debate, and discussion in each class. Good law schools recognize that having a diverse student body is a benefit to all law students (and to law professors as well). The diversity statement is one way to see if an applicant would contribute to a diverse 1L class, because the application form may not give the law school admissions committee enough information about the applicant’s background and diversity factors.

If you’re applying to law school, I highly recommend that you think hard about whether you have any diversity factors.

Diversity factors include, but are not limited to, the following: • Ethnic minority • Low-income childhood • Low-income now • First generation in your family to graduate from college • GLBTQ community • Non-traditional student (i.e., older student) • Single parent while attending college • Disabilities (learning, physical, mental) • Underrepresented religious affiliation • Immigrant • Foster child • Grew up in an unusual neighborhood, town/city, or country • Grew up with unique circumstances that are underrepresented in the law school’s student body

If you have any of these factors in your background, you should consider writing a diversity statement.

Most law schools’ application instructions state that the diversity statement should be submitted as an addendum and/or optional essay. If the school does not specifically ask for a diversity statement, contact the admissions office to see if they will accept one. Some schools would rather you incorporate your diversity factors into your personal statement, while others are open to it being a separate essay.

So, how do you go about writing a diversity statement?

First, I recommend reading some great diversity statements. Download my FREE Personal Statement Packet and read the four diversity statement samples included in it. You can get a good idea of how to approach and structure a diversity statement by carefully reading and analyzing these samples. Similar to the personal statement, the diversity statement is essentially a structured short story about YOU. Keep in mind, though, that your diversity statement is much shorter than your personal statement–it should generally be one page, double-spaced, with a 11- to 12-point font.

Second, read each of the diversity statements again and read the adjoining personal statements that go with them. Notice how the applicant’s diversity factor(s) might be mentioned in his or her personal statement, but they are covered in more detail in the diversity statement. I recommend that you do this. As law school officials always tell me, “Applicants need to self-identify!” And I would add, applicants need to self-identify in more than one place in their law school application.

Third, please remember as you’re writing your draft that the diversity statement should be focused generally on your family background and upbringing. If you start veering towards other stories about your life or career, or why you want to go to law school, know that you’re veering towards personal statement territory. Steer yourself back to focusing on your family background and upbringing.

Lastly, when you have a draft of your diversity statement that is ready for human consumption (usually your second or third draft), have several trusted and objective people review it. Look for patterns in the feedback given to you. If two people say the same thing, pay attention. Then revise, revise, revise until your diversity statement is the best that it can be.

PEG CHENG is the author of The No B.S. Guides for applying to law school and the founder of Prelaw Guru , where you can find law school admissions tips, videos, books, and more.

Diversity statements may not apply to everyone. Your LSAT score will still reign supreme over your law school application. Make sure you can do your best by using the best LSAT prep. Schedule a call with us to find what LSAT prep course works best for you!

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Law School Diversity Statement

Will you ever take the opportunity of getting into a school of your choice to take a degree of your choice, but the catch is you will be going to school with students who come from all walks of life? Will you or will you not take that opportunity? As diversity is concerned, a lot of people may or may not take this opportunity for their own reasons. Many students who take up law school know that there are some schools that do offer a diversity of students into their school. What makes them unique is the fact that a lot of students from different backgrounds or different walks of life are given the opportunity to attend these schools and to take advantage of the educational system. If you do plan to take up law in schools like Harvard or Stanford, you should also be ready to write your very own law school diversity statement, and here’s how you can. 

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What Is a Law School Diversity Statement?

A law school diversity statement is a type of personal statement that law students write in order to get a spot in law school. The law school diversity statement is a personal statement that gives the applicants an opportunity to write about who they are as a person, their background, either familial or personal, their own unique identity, their likes and dislikes, their hobbies and interests both in and out of the classroom or in school, and of course anything that could give a unique point of view about them to their fellow classmates. Lastly, law school diversity statements are a nice way of getting to know you as a person and for the rest of them to get to know you. The statement is a good essay type to help you write about what you think you can expect and contribute when you are accepted into law school.

How to Make a Law School Diversity Statement

Are you a law student or an applicant for a degree in law? Have you been told that in order for you to be accepted into the school of your choice, you must write a statement or a diversity statement? There is a reason for the committee in the program to tell students or applicants to write a diversity statement and you may already know that. In order to get into the school of your choice, here are steps to help you get started on your law school diversity statement.

1. Address the Topic as Something Personal

A good introduction for your personal statement is always the best place to start. Addressing the topic as something personal for you will also help with making it easier. The reason to address this as something personal is that the committee is seeking out a way to get to know you as a whole through the personal statement. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to talk about you, your culture, your beliefs, and everything unique about you without judgment.

2. Be Specific with Your Statements

There is always an opportunity to be vague about your statement, but avoid doing that. That is also one of the things that the committee will never approve when reading your diversity statement as it tells them little or nothing about you as a person.

3. Write as If You Are Telling a Story

In order for you to stand out as you can expect a lot of diversity statements being handed in, the best thing you can do is to write as if you are telling a story. Avoid having to sound monotonous in your writing. Add some flare to it. Tell a story about your experiences in a diverse area with friends or family.

4. Be Honest with the Information You Are Giving

While you may want to write a story, you must also remember that any information you are writing should be true to you, true to who you are as a person and not someone else’s story being passed on to you. Be honest.

What is a law school diversity statement?

A law school diversity statement is a type of personal statement that law students write in order to get a spot in law school.

What is a good reason for writing a diversity statement?

When you want to attend law school, you must write a diversity statement in order to let the committee know who you are as a unique person and the people you are going to be attending law with.

What is something that you should avoid?

Never state that you do not want to be in a diverse university. That is not something the committee would want to read.

To get into law school, you have to have the following: an idea, some luck, and a good diversity statement. In order for that to happen, you must be able to write a diversity statement that makes you stand out from the rest.

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How to Write a Statement of Perspective/Diversity

Writing a statement of perspective and diversity is a lot like writing a personal statement. The stages include 1) brainstorming , 2) outlining (loosely or in detail), 3) drafting , and 4) revising .

Broadly speaking, your statement of perspective has two parts: your experience, and the insight you took from it.

Below are some more specific tips.

1. Don’t speak for your group; speak for yourself.

Being Mexican American is a valid starting point for a statement of perspective, but it’s not a specific topic. Don’t write about “the” Mexican American experience; write about your experience. The same goes for any essay about race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, etc.

If you faced adversity, write about it. But your statement of perspective doesn’t have to be an adversity statement. “ Majority Minority ” is a great example of an essay that decouples minority status from hardship.

2. Tell us what it’s about in the first paragraph.

Your first paragraph can be either anecdotal or direct. An anecdotal opening means that you tell a short story which pinpoints your experience. “Identity Carousel” begins this way:

Wrapping up the day’s math lesson, I asked the class if there were any questions. “Yea. Mr. Frank,” said a boy I’ll call Jeremy. “For real, why you always talk like the white people?”

The story encapsulates the narrator’s dilemma: some members of the black community see him as too white.

A direct intro entails a succinct statement in which you state your topic. “Homeschool” begins with a direct intro:

When I was fourteen years old, my mother gave me the choice of being homeschooled or attending a public high school. My older brother had shuddered at the thought of being associated with the stereotype of socially awkward, unfashionable “homeschool kids.” However, I saw the idea of spending my days at home as a challenge and an opportunity.

3. Make sure all the circumstances are clear.

In the first draft of “Taking Care Of My Sister,” the narrator tells us, “As the oldest sibling, I took on the parental role before my sister was a one-year-old.” But she doesn’t make it clear why she had to take on that role. In the final draft , she explains that her immigrant parents worked long hours in factories, leaving her in charge.

4. Try anchoring the story of your heritage or identity to a specific moment.

The writer of “Armenian Heritage,” for example, anchors the story of his heritage to a trip that he took to Baku during which he reconnected with his Armenian roots.

5. Back up your main assertions with specific details.

In the first draft of “ Homeschool ,” the narrator wrote, “Being entrusted to guide my own education gave me self-confidence and taught me to become more independent.” But she didn’t illustrate that point. By the last draft, she gave some examples: “I would work backwards, step by step, to find my mistake in a math equation or track down an explanation for a French grammar rule.”

6. State what you gained from your experience in the last or penultimate paragraph.

Two examples:

I learned how to be my own teacher and to identify my strengths and weaknesses. Homeschooling also helped me be creative and analytical in ways that a more traditional education might not have. -“Homeschool”

I attribute my success to the values my parents instilled by example: hard work and grit. -“Grit”

7. Keep it optimistic.

The first draft of “Rugby” ends: “Income invariably plays an insidious sinister role. It’s a damn shame.”

You too might believe that America is plagued with intractable problems, and you might be right. You may feel angry and combative, and you’re justified in feeling so. But your diversity statement is a place for optimism. Think Disney, not HBO: “I have a unique perspective,” not “I can see that this country is fucked.”

8. Look forward!

At the end of your statement of perspective, it’s a good idea to look forward and tell the admissions committee how your insights will shape your future. Admissions officers often look to a statement of perspective for another indication of what kind of voice you will be on campus, or how your experiences will shape your legal career. You don’t need to be ultra-specific and name affiliation groups you plan to join (though you can!), but you should give some indication of how your perspectives will influence your social/professional presence. 

You have more leeway on your statement of perspective than you do on your personal statement.

Three paragraphs is probably enough. You can write a longer essay if the school’s application permits you to. I’d encourage you to skew short, though. In most cases, your personal statement should remain the star of the show. A page or less double-spaced is often enough for a great statement of perspective.

Format your statement of perspective the same way you format your personal statement , but instead of “Personal Statement,” the last line of the header should use whatever term that school used on their application description, e.g., “Statement of Perspective” or “Optional Essay Two.” If the school doesn’t indicate a preferred term for the essay, you can go with the old tried-and-true “Diversity Statement.” 

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6 Diversity College Essay Examples

What’s covered:, how to write the diversity essay after the end of affirmative action, essay #1: jewish identity, essay #2: being bangladeshi-american, essay #3: marvel vs dc, essay #4: leadership as a first-gen american, essay #5: protecting the earth, essay #6: music and accents, where to get your diversity essays edited, what is the diversity essay.

While working on your college applications, you may come across essays that focus on diversity , culture, or values. The purpose of these essays is to highlight any diverse views or opinions that you may bring to campus. Colleges want a diverse student body that’s made up of different backgrounds, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and interests. These essay prompts are a way for them to see what students can bring to their school.

In this post, we will share six essays written by real students that cover the topic of culture and diversity. We’ll also include what each essay did well and where there is room for improvement. Hopefully, this will be a useful resource to inspire your own diversity essay.

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. That said, you should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and they will not have a favorable view of students who have plagiarized.

In June 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that the use of race in college admissions was unconstitutional. In other words, they struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions . This will affect college-bound students of color in a number of ways, including lowering their chances of acceptance and reducing the amount of direct outreach they’ll receive from colleges. Another change to consider is the ways in which students should tackle their diversity essays.

Although colleges can no longer directly factor race into admissions, students aren’t prohibited from discussing their racial backgrounds in supplemental application essays. If your racial background is important to you, seriously consider writing about it in your diversity essays. If you don’t, admissions officers are extremely limited in their ability to consider your race when making an admission decision.

As in the essays listed below, discussing your race is an excellent tool for showing admissions officers the person behind the grades and test scores. Beyond that, it provides admissions officers with an opportunity to put themselves in your shoes—showing them how your background has presented challenges to overcome, helped build important life skills, and taught you valuable lessons.

Diversity Essay Examples

I was thirsty. In my wallet was a lone $10 bill, ultimately useless at my school’s vending machine. Tasked with scrounging together the $1 cost of a water bottle, I fished out and arranged the spare change that normally hid in the bottom of my backpack in neat piles of nickels and dimes on my desk. I swept them into a spare Ziploc and began to leave when a classmate snatched the bag and held it above my head.

“Want your money back, Jew?” she chanted, waving the coins around. I had forgotten the Star-of-David around my neck, but quickly realized she must have seen it and connected it to the stacks of coins. I am no stranger to experiencing and confronting antisemitism, but I had never been targeted in my school before. I grabbed my bag and sternly told her to leave. Although she sauntered away, the impact remained.

This incident serves as an example of the adversity I have and will continue to face from those who only see me as a stereotype. Ironically, however, these experiences of discrimination have only increased my pride as a member of the Jewish Community. Continuing to wear the Star-of-David connects me to my history and my family. I find meaning and direction in my community’s values, such as pride, education, and giving—and I am eager to transfer these values to my new community: the Duke community.

What the Essay Did Well

Writing about discrimination can be difficult, but if you are comfortable doing it, it can make for a powerful story. Although this essay is short and focused on one small interaction, it represents a much larger struggle for this student, and for that reason it makes the essay very impactful.

The author takes her time at the beginning of the essay to build the scene for the audience, which allows us to feel like we are there with her, making the hateful comments even more jarring later on. If she had just told us her classmate teased her with harmful stereotypes, we wouldn’t feel the same sense of anger as we do knowing that she was just trying to get a drink and ended up being harassed.

This essay does another important thing—it includes self-reflection on the experience and on the student’s identity. Without elaborating on the emotional impact of a situation, an essay about discrimination would make admission officers feel bad for the student, but they wouldn’t be compelled to admit the student. By describing how experiences like these drive her and make her more determined to embody positive values, this student reveals her character to the readers.

What Could Be Improved

While including emotional reflection in the latter half of the essay is important, the actual sentences could be tightened up a bit to leave a stronger impression. The student does a nice job of showing us her experience with antisemitism, but she just tells us about the impact it has on her. If she instead showed us what the impact looked like, the essay would be even better.

For example, rather than telling us “Continuing to wear the Star-of-David connects me to my history and my family,” she could have shown that connection: “My Star-of-David necklace thumps against my heart with every step I take, reminding me of my great-grandparents who had to hide their stars, my grandma’s spindly fingers lighting the menorah each Hanukkah, and my uncle’s homemade challah bread.” This new sentence reveals so much more than the existing sentence about the student and the deep connection she feels with her family and religion.

Life before was good: verdant forests, sumptuous curries, and a devoted family.

Then, my family abandoned our comfortable life in Bangladesh for a chance at the American dream in Los Angeles. Within our first year, my father was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He lost his battle three weeks before my sixth birthday. Facing a new country without the steady presence of my father, we were vulnerable—prisoners of hardship in the land of the free.

We resettled in the Bronx, in my uncle’s renovated basement. It was meant to be our refuge, but I felt more displaced than ever. Gone were the high-rise condos of West L.A.; instead, government projects towered over the neighborhood. Pedestrians no longer smiled and greeted me; the atmosphere was hostile, even toxic. Schoolkids were quick to pick on those they saw as weak or foreign, hurling harsh words I’d never heard before.

Meanwhile, my family began integrating into the local Bangladeshi community. I struggled to understand those who shared my heritage. Bangladeshi mothers stayed home while fathers drove cabs and sold fruit by the roadside—painful societal positions. Riding on crosstown buses or walking home from school, I began to internalize these disparities.

During my fleeting encounters with affluent Upper East Siders, I saw kids my age with nannies, parents who wore suits to work, and luxurious apartments with spectacular views. Most took cabs to their destinations: cabs that Bangladeshis drove. I watched the mundane moments of their lives with longing, aching to plant myself in their shoes. Shame prickled down my spine. I distanced myself from my heritage, rejecting the traditional panjabis worn on Eid and refusing the torkari we ate for dinner every day.

As I grappled with my relationship with the Bangladeshi community, I turned my attention to helping my Bronx community by pursuing an internship with Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda. I handled desk work and took calls, spending the bulk of my time actively listening to the hardships constituents faced—everything from a veteran stripped of his benefits to a grandmother unable to support her bedridden grandchild.

I’d never exposed myself to stories like these, and now I was the first to hear them. As an intern, I could only assist in what felt like the small ways—pointing out local job offerings, printing information on free ESL classes, reaching out to non-profits. But to a community facing an onslaught of intense struggles, I realized that something as small as these actions could have vast impacts.

Seeing the immediate consequences of my actions inspired me. Throughout that summer, I internalized my community’s daily challenges in a new light. I began to see the prevalent underemployment and cramped living quarters less as sources of shame. Instead, I saw them as realities that had to be acknowledged, but that could ultimately be remedied.

I also realized the benefits of the Bangladeshi culture I had been so ashamed of. My Bangla language skills were an asset to the office, and my understanding of Bangladeshi etiquette allowed for smooth communication between office staff and the office’s constituents. As I helped my neighbors navigate city services, I saw my heritage with pride—a perspective I never expected to have.

I can now appreciate the value of my unique culture and background, and the value of living with less. This perspective offers room for progress, community integration, and a future worth fighting for. My time with Assemblyman Sepulveda’s office taught me that I can be an agent of change who can enable this progression. Far from being ashamed of my community, I want to someday return to local politics in the Bronx to continue helping others access the American Dream. I hope to help my community appreciate the opportunity to make progress together. By embracing reality, I learned to live it. Along the way, I discovered one thing: life is good, but we can make it better.

This student’s passion for social justice and civic duty shines through in this essay because of how honest it is. Sharing their personal experience with immigrating, moving around, being an outsider, and finding a community allows us to see the hardships this student has faced and builds empathy towards their situation.

However, what really makes it strong is that the student goes beyond describing the difficulties they faced and explains the mental impact it had on them as a child: “Shame prickled down my spine. I distanced myself from my heritage, rejecting the traditional panjabis worn on Eid and refusing the torkari we ate for dinner every day.” The rejection of their culture presented at the beginning of the essay creates a nice juxtaposition with the student’s view in the latter half of the essay, and helps demonstrate how they have matured.

They then use their experience interning as a way to delve into a change in their thought process about their culture. This experience also serves as a way to show how their passion for social justice began. Using this experience as a mechanism to explore their thoughts and feelings is an excellent example of how items that are included elsewhere on your application should be incorporated into your essay.

This essay prioritizes emotions and personal views over specific anecdotes. Although there are details and certain moments incorporated throughout to emphasize the author’s points, the main focus remains on the student and how they grapple with their culture and identity.

One area for improvement is the conclusion. Although the forward-looking approach is a nice way to end an essay focused on social justice, it would be nice to include more details and imagery in the conclusion. How does the student want to help their community? What government position do they see themselves holding one day?

A more impactful ending might describe the student walking into their office at the New York City Housing Authority in 15 years. This future student might be looking at the plans to build a new development in the Bronx just blocks away from where they grew up that would provide quality housing to people in their Bangladeshi community. They would smile while thinking about how far they have come from that young kid who used to be ashamed of their culture.

Superhero cinema is an oligopoly consisting of two prominent, towering brands: Marvel and DC. I’m a religious supporter of Marvel, but last year, I discovered that my friend, Tom, was a DC fan. After a vociferous 20-minute quarrel about which was better, we decided to allocate one day to have a professional debate, using carefully assembled and coherent arguments.

One week later, we both brought pages of notes and evidence cards (I also had my Iron-Man bobblehead for moral support). Our impartial moderator—a Disney fan—sat in the middle with a stopwatch, open-policy style. I began the debate by discussing how Marvel accentuated the humanity of the storyline—such as in Tony Stark’s transformation from an egotistical billionaire to a compassionate father—which drew in a broader audience, because more people resonated with certain aspects of the characters. Tom rebutted this by capitalizing on how Deadpool was a duplicate of Deathstroke, how Vision copied Red Tornado, and how DC sold more comics than Marvel.

40 minutes later, we reached an impasse. We were out of cards, and we both made excellent points, so our moderator was unable to declare a winner. Difficult conversations aren’t necessarily always the ones that make political headlines. Instead, a difficult discussion involves any topic with which people share an emotional connection.

Over the years, I became so emotionally invested in Marvel that my mind erected an impenetrable shield, blocking out all other possibilities. Even today, we haven’t decided which franchise was better, but I realized that I was undermining DC for no reason other than my own ignorance.

The inevitability of diversity suggests that it is our responsibility to understand the other person and what they believe in. We may not always experience a change in opinion, but we can grant ourselves the opportunity to expand our global perspective. I strive to continue this adventure to increase my awareness as a superhero aficionado, activist, and student, by engaging in conversations that require me to think beyond what I believe and to view the world from others’ perspectives.

And yes, Tom is still my friend.

Diversity doesn’t always have to be about culture or heritage; diversity exists all around us, even in our comic book preferences. The cleverness of this essay lies in the way the student flipped the traditional diversity prompt on its head and instead discussed his diverse perspective on a topic he is passionate about. If you don’t have a cultural connection you are compelled to write about, this is a nifty approach to a diversity prompt—if it’s handled appropriately.

While this student has a non-traditional topic, he still presents it in a way that pays respect to the key aspects of a diversity essay: depicting his perspective and recognizing the importance of diverse views. Just as someone who is writing about a culture that is possibly unfamiliar to the reader, the student describes what makes Marvel and DC unique and important to him and his friend, respectively. He also expands on how a lack of diversity in superhero consumption led to his feeling of ignorance, and how it now makes him appreciate the need for diversity in all aspects of his life.

This student is unapologetically himself in this essay, which is ultimately why this unorthodox topic is able to work. He committed to his passion for Marvel by sharing analytical takes on characters and demonstrating how the franchise was so important to his identity that it momentarily threatened a friendship. The inclusion of humor through his personal voice—e.g., referring to the argument as a professional debate and telling us that the friendship lived on—contributes to the essay feeling deeply personal.

Choosing an unconventional topic for a diversity essay requires extra care and attention to ensure that you are still addressing the core of the prompt. That being said, if you accomplish it successfully, it makes for an incredibly memorable essay that could easily set you apart!

While this is a great essay as is, the idea of diversity could have been addressed a little bit earlier in the piece to make it absolutely clear the student is writing about his diverse perspective. He positions Marvel and DC as two behemoths in the superhero movie industry, but in the event that his reader is unfamiliar with these two brands, there is little context about the cultural impact each has on its fans.

To this student, Marvel is more than just a movie franchise; it’s a crucial part of his identity, just as someone’s race or religion might be. In order for the reader to fully understand the weight of his perspective, there should be further elaboration—towards the beginning—on how important Marvel is to this student.

Leadership was thrust upon me at a young age. When I was six years old, my abusive father abandoned my family, leaving me to step up as the “man” of the house. From having to watch over my little sister to cooking dinner three nights a week, I never lived an ideal suburban life. I didn’t enjoy the luxuries of joining after-school activities, getting driven to school or friends’ houses, or taking weekend trips to the movies or bowling alley. Instead, I spent my childhood navigating legal hurdles, shouldering family responsibilities, and begrudgingly attending court-mandated therapy sessions.

At the same time, I tried to get decent grades and maintain my Colombian roots and Spanish fluency enough to at least partially communicate with my grandparents, both of whom speak little English. Although my childhood had its bright and joyful moments, much of it was weighty and would have been exhausting for any child to bear. In short, I grew up fast. However, the responsibilities I took on at home prepared me to be a leader and to work diligently, setting me up to use these skills later in life.

I didn’t have much time to explore my interests until high school, where I developed my knack for government and for serving others. Being cast in a lead role in my school’s fall production as a freshman was the first thing to give me the confidence I needed to pursue other activities: namely, student government. Shortly after being cast, I was elected Freshman Vice-President, a role that put me in charge of promoting events, delegating daily office tasks, collaborating with the administration on new school initiatives, and planning trips and fundraisers.

While my new position demanded a significant amount of responsibility, my childhood of helping my mom manage our household prepared me to be successful in the role. When I saw the happy faces of my classmates after a big event, I felt proud to know that I had made even a small difference to them. Seeing projects through to a successful outcome was thrilling. I enjoyed my time and responsibilities so much that I served all four years of high school, going on to become Executive Vice-President.

As I found success in high school, my mother and grandparents began speaking more about the life they faced prior to emigrating from Colombia. To better connect with them, I took a series of Spanish language classes to regain my fluency. After a practice run through my presentation on Bendíceme, Ultima ( Bless me, Ultima ) by Rudolofo Anaya, with my grandmother, she squeezed my hand and told me the story of how my family was forced from their home in order to live free of religious persecution. Though my grandparents have often expressed how much better their lives and their children’s lives have been in America, I have often struggled with my identity. I felt that much of it was erased with my loss of our native language.

In elementary school, I learned English best because in class I was surrounded by it. Spanish was more difficult to grasp without a formal education, and my family urged me to become fluent in English so I could be of better help to them in places as disparate as government agencies and grocery stores. When I was old enough to recognize the large part of my identity still rooted in being Colombian, it was challenging to connect these two sides of who I was.

Over time I have been able to reconcile the two in the context of my aspirations. I found purpose and fulfillment through student council, and I knew that I could help other families like my own if I worked in local government. By working through city offices that address housing, education, and support for survivors of childhood abuse, I could give others the same liberties and opportunities my family has enjoyed in this country. Doing so would also help me honor my roots as a first-generation American.

I have been a leader my entire life. Both at Harvard and after graduation, I want to continue that trend. I hope to volunteer with organizations that share my goals. I want to advise policy-making politicians on ways to make children and new immigrants safer and more secure. When my family was at their worst, my community gave back. I hope to give that gift to future generations. A career in local, city-based public service is not a rashly made decision; it is a reflection of where I’ve already been in life, and where I want to be in the future.

Although this essay begins on a somber note, it goes on to show this student’s determination and the joy he found. Importantly, it also ends with a positive, forward-looking perspective. This is a great example of how including your hardship can bolster an essay as long as it is not the essay’s main focus.

Explaining the challenges this student faced from a young age—becoming the man of the house, dealing with legal matters, maintaining good grades, etc.—builds sympathy for his situation. However, the first paragraph is even more impactful because he explains the emotional toll these actions had on him. We understand how he lost the innocence of his childhood and how he struggled to remain connected to his Colombian heritage with all his other responsibilities. Including these details truly allows the reader to see this student’s struggle, making us all the more joyful when he comes out stronger in the end.

Pivoting to discuss positive experiences with student government and Spanish classes for the rest of the essay demonstrates that this student has a positive approach to life and is willing to push through challenges. The tone of the essay shifts from heavy to uplifting. He explains the joy he got out of helping his classmates and connecting with his grandparents, once again providing emotional reflection to make the reader care more.

Overall, this essay does a nice job of demonstrating how this student approaches challenges and negative experiences. Admitting that the responsibilities of his childhood had a silver lining shows his maturity and how he will be able to succeed in government one day. The essay strikes a healthy balance between challenge and hope, leaving us with a positive view of a student with such emotional maturity.

Although the content of this essay is very strong, it struggles with redundancy and disorganized information. He mentions his passion for government at the beginning of the student government paragraph, then again addresses government in the paragraph focused on his Colombian heritage, and concludes by talking about how he wants to get into government once more. Similarly, in the first paragraph, he discusses the struggle of maintaining his Colombian identity and then fully delves into that topic in the third paragraph.

The repetition of ideas and lack of a streamlined organization of this student’s thoughts diminishes some of the emotional impact of the story. The reader is left trying to piece together a swirling mass of information on their own, rather than having a focused, sequential order to follow.

This could be fixed if the student rearranged details to make each paragraph focused on a singular idea. For example, the first paragraph could be about his childhood. The second could be about how student government sparked his interest in government and what he hopes to do one day. The third could be about how he reconnected with his Colombian roots through his Spanish classes, after years of struggling with his identity. And the final paragraph could tie everything together by explaining how everything led to him wanting to pursue a future serving others, particularly immigrants like his family.

Alternatively, the essay could follow a sequential order that would start with his childhood, then explain his struggle with his identity, then show how student government and Spanish classes helped him find himself, and finally, conclude with what he hopes to accomplish by pursuing government.

I never understood the power of community until I left home to join seven strangers in the Ecuadorian rainforest. Although we flew in from distant corners of the U.S., we shared a common purpose: immersing ourselves in our passion for protecting the natural world.

Back home in my predominantly conservative suburb, my neighbors had brushed off environmental concerns. My classmates debated the feasibility of Trump’s wall, not the deteriorating state of our planet. Contrastingly, these seven strangers delighted in bird-watching, brightened at the mention of medicinal tree sap, and understood why I once ran across a four-lane highway to retrieve discarded beer cans.

Their histories barely resembled mine, yet our values aligned intimately. We did not hesitate to joke about bullet ants, gush about the versatility of tree bark, or discuss the destructive consequences of materialism. Together, we let our inner tree-huggers run free.

In the short life of our little community, we did what we thought was impossible. By feeding on each other’s infectious tenacity, we cultivated an atmosphere that deepened our commitment to our values and empowered us to speak out on behalf of the environment. After a week of stimulating conversations and introspective revelations about engaging people from our hometowns in environmental advocacy, we developed a shared determination to devote our lives to this cause.

As we shared a goodbye hug, my new friend whispered, “The world needs saving. Someone’s gotta do it.” For the first time, I believed that that someone could be me.

This student is expressing their diversity through their involvement in a particular community—another nice approach if you don’t want to write about culture or ethnicity. We all have unique things that we geek out over. This student expresses the joy that they derived from finding a community where they could express their love for the environment. Passion is fundamental to university life and generally finds its way into any successful application.

The essay finds strength in the fact that readers feel for the student. We get a little bit of backstory about where they come from and how they felt silenced— “Back home in my predominantly conservative suburb, my neighbors had brushed off environmental concerns” —so it’s easy to feel joy for them when they get set free and finally find their community.

This student displays clear values: community, ecoconsciousness, dedication, and compassion. An admissions officer who reads a diversity essay is looking for students with strong values who will enrich the university community with their unique perspective—that sounds just like this student!

One area of weakness in this essay is the introduction. The opening line— “I never understood the power of community until I left home to join seven strangers in the Ecuadorian rainforest” —is a bit clichéd. Introductions should be captivating and build excitement and suspense for what is to come. Simply telling the reader about how your experience made you understand the power of community reveals the main takeaway of your essay without the reader needing to go any further.

Instead of starting this essay with a summary of what the essay is about, the student should have made their hook part of the story. Whether that looks like them being exasperated with comments their classmates made about politics, or them looking around apprehensively at the seven strangers in their program as they all boarded their flight, the student should start off in the action.

India holds a permanent place in my heart and ears. Whenever I returned on a trip or vacation, I would show my grandmother how to play Monopoly and she would let me tie her sari. I would teach my grandfather English idioms—which he would repeat to random people and fishmongers on the streets—and he would teach me Telugu phrases.

It was a curious exchange of worlds that I am reminded of every time I listen to Indian music. It was these tunes that helped me reconnect with my heritage and ground my meandering identity. Indian music, unlike the stereotype I’d long been imbued with, was not just a one-and-done Bollywood dance number! Each region and language was like an island with its own unique sonic identity. I’m grateful for my discovery of Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Tamil tunes, for these discoveries have opened me up to the incredible smorgasbord of diversity, depth, and complexity within the subcontinent I was born in.

Here’s an entirely-different sonic identity for you: Texan slang. “Couldya pass the Mango seltzer, please, hon?” asked my Houstonian neighbor, Rae Ann—her syllables melding together like the sticky cake batter we were making.

Rae Ann and her twang were real curiosities to me. Once, she invited my family to a traditional Texan barbecue with the rest of our neighbors. As Hindus, we didn’t eat beef, so we showed up with chicken kebabs, instead. Rather than looking at us bizarrely, she gladly accepted the dish, lining it up beside grilled loins and hamburger patties.

Her gesture was a small but very well-accepted one and I quickly became convinced she was the human manifestation of “Southern hospitality”—something reflected in each of her viscous, honey-dripping phrases. “Watch out for the skeeters!” was an excellent example. It was always funny at first, but conveyed a simple message: We’ve got each other’s backs and together, we can overcome the blood-sucking mosquitoes of the Houstonian summer! I began to see how her words built bridges, not boundaries.

I believe that sounds—whether it’s music or accents—can make a difference in the ways we perceive and accept individuals from other backgrounds. But sound is about listening too. In Rice’s residential college, I would be the type of person to strike up a conversation with an international student and ask for one of their Airpods (you’d be surprised how many different genres and languages of music I’ve picked up in this way!).

As both an international student and Houstonian at heart, I hope to bridge the gap between Rice’s domestic and international populations. Whether it’s organizing cultural events or simply taking the time to get to know a student whose first language isn’t English, I look forward to listening to the stories that only a fellow wanderer can tell.

This essay does an excellent job of addressing two aspects of this student’s identity. Looking at diversity through sound is a very creative way to descriptively depict their Indian and Texan cultures. Essays are always more successful when they stimulate the senses, so framing the entire response around sound automatically opens the door for vivid imagery.

The quotes from this student’s quirky neighbor bring a sense of realism to the essay. We can feel ourselves at the barbecue and hear her thick Texan accent coming through. The way people communicate is a huge part of their culture and identity, so the way that this student perfectly captures the essence of their Texan identity with accented phrases is skillfully done.

This essay does such a great job of making the sounds of Texas jump off the page, so it is a bit disappointing that it wasn’t able to accomplish the same for India. The student describes the different Indian languages and music styles, but doesn’t bring them to life with quotes or onomatopoeia in the manner that they did for the sounds of Texas.

They could have described the buzz of the sitar or the lyrical pattern of the Telugu phrases their grandfather taught them. Telling us about the diversity of sounds in Indian music is fine, but if the reader can’t appreciate what those sounds resemble, it makes it harder to understand the Indian half of the author’s identity. Especially since this student emulated the sounds and essence of Texas so well, it’s important that India is given the same treatment so we can fully appreciate both sides of this essay.

More Supplemental Essay Tips

How to Write a Stellar “Why This College?” Essay + Examples

How to Write a Stellar Extracurricular Activity College Essay

Do you want feedback on your diversity essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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May 11, 2023

Writing an Excellent Diversity Essay

What is the diversity question in a school application, and why does it matter when applying to leading programs and universities? Most importantly, how should you respond?

Diversity is of supreme value in higher education, and schools want to know how every student will contribute to it in their community. A diversity essay is an essay that encourages applicants with disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds, an unusual education, a distinctive experience, or a unique family history to write about how these elements of their background have prepared them to play a useful role in increasing and encouraging diversity among their target program’s student body and broader community.

In this post, we’ll cover the following topics: 

How to show you can add to diversity

Why diversity matters at school, seven examples that reveal diversity, how to write about your diversity, diversity essay example, want to ensure your application demonstrates the diversity that your dream school is seeking.

If you are an immigrant to the United States, the child of immigrants, or someone whose ethnicity is underrepresented in the States, your response to “How will you add to the diversity of our class/community?” and similar questions might help your application efforts. Why? Because you can use it to show how your background will add a distinctive perspective to the program you are applying to.

Download this sample personal background essay, and see how one candidate won over the adcom and got accepted into their top-choice MBA program.

Of course, if you’re not from a group that is underrepresented in your field or a disadvantaged group, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have anything to write about in a diversity essay.

For example, you might have an unusual or special experience to share, such as serving in the military, being a member of a dance troupe, or caring for a disabled relative. These and other distinctive experiences can convey how you will contribute to the diversity of the school’s campus.

You could be the first member of your family to apply to college or the first to learn English in your household. Perhaps you have worked your way through college or helped raise your siblings. You might also have been an ally to those who are underrepresented, disadvantaged, or marginalized in your community, at your previous school, or in an earlier work experience. 

As you can see, diversity is not limited to one’s religion, ethnicity, culture, language, or sexual orientation. It refers to whatever element of your identity  distinguishes you from others and shows that you, too, value diversity.

Admissions officers believe diversity in the classroom improves the educational experience of all the students involved. They also believe that having a diverse workforce better serves society as a whole.

The more diverse perspectives found in the classroom, throughout the dorms, in the dining halls, and mixed into study groups, the richer the discussions will be.

Plus, learning and growing in this kind of multicultural environment will prepare students for working in our increasingly multicultural and global world.

In medicine, for example, a heterogeneous workforce benefits people from previously underrepresented cultures. Businesses realize they will market more effectively if they can speak to different audiences and markets, which is possible when members of their workforce come from different backgrounds and cultures. Schools simply want to prepare graduates for the 21st century job market.

Adcoms want to know about your personal diversity elements and the way they have helped you develop particular character and personality traits , as well as the unusual experiences that have shaped you.

Here are seven examples an applicant could write about:

• They grew up with a strong insistence on respecting elders, attending family events, or learning their parents’ native language and culture.
• They are close to grandparents and extended family members who have taught them how teamwork can help everyone thrive.
• They have had to face difficulties that stem from their parents’ values being in conflict with theirs or those of their peers.
• Teachers have not always understood the elements of their culture or lifestyle and how those elements influence their performance.
• They suffered from discrimination and succeeded despite it because of their grit, values, and character.
• They learned skills from a lifestyle that is outside the norm (e.g., living in foreign countries as the child of a diplomat or contractor; performing professionally in theater, dance, music, or sports; having a deaf sibling).
• They’ve encountered racism or other prejudice (either toward themselves or others) and responded by actively promoting diverse, tolerant values.

And remember, it’s not just about who your parents are. It’s about who you are – at the core.

Your background, influences, religious observances, language, ideas, work environment, community experiences – all these factors come together to create a unique individual, one who will contribute to a varied class of distinct individuals taking their place in a diverse world.

Your answer to the diversity question should focus on how your experiences have built your empathy for others, your embrace of differences, your resilience, your character, and your perspective.

The school might well ask how you think of diversity or how you can bring or add to the diversity of your school, chosen profession, or community. Make sure you answer the specific question posed by highlighting distinctive elements of your profile that will add to the class mosaic every adcom is trying to create. You don’t want to blend in; you want to stand out in a positive way while also complementing the school’s canvas.

Here’s a simple, three-part framework that will help you think of diversity more, well, diversely:

• Identity : Who are you? What has contributed to your identity? How do you distinguish yourself? Your identity can include any of the following: gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion, nontraditional work experience, nontraditional educational background, multicultural background, and family’s educational level.
• Deeds : What have you done? What have you accomplished? This could include any of the following: achievements inside and/or outside your field of study, leadership opportunities, community service, , internship or professional experience, research opportunities, hobbies, and travel. Any or all of these could be unique. Also, what life-derailing, throw-you-for-a-loop challenges have you faced and overcome?
• Ideas : How do you think? How do you approach things? What drives you? What influences you? Are you the person who can break up a tense meeting with some well-timed humor? Are you the one who intuitively sees how to bring people together? 

Learn more about this three-part framework in this podcast episode.

Think about each question within this framework and how you could apply your diversity elements to the classroom, your school, or your community. Any of these elements will serve as the framework for your essay.

Don’t worry if you can’t think of something totally “out there.” You don’t need to be a tightrope walker living in the Andes or a Buddhist monk from Japan to pass the diversity test!

And please remember, the examples I have listed are not exhaustive. There are many other ways to show diversity!

All you need to write successfully about how you will contribute to the rich diversity of your target school’s community is to examine your identity, deeds, and ideas, with an eye toward your personal distinctiveness and individuality. There is only one you .

Want our advice on how you can best show diversity?

Click here to sign up for a free consultation.

Take a look at this sample diversity essay, and pay attention to how the writer underscores their appreciation for and experience with diversity. 

When I was starting 11 th grade, my dad, an agricultural scientist, was assigned to a 3-month research project in a farm village in Niigata (northwest Honshu in Japan). Rather than stay behind with my mom and siblings, I begged to go with him. As a straight-A student, I convinced my parents and the principal that I could handle my schoolwork remotely (pre-COVID) for that stretch. It was time to leap beyond my comfortable suburban Wisconsin life—and my Western orientation, reinforced by travel to Europe the year before. 

We roomed in a sprawling farmhouse with a family participating in my dad’s study. I thought I’d experience an “English-free zone,” but the high school students all studied and wanted to practice English, so I did meet peers even though I didn’t attend their school. Of the many eye-opening, influential, cultural experiences, the one that resonates most powerfully to me is experiencing their community. It was a living, organic whole. Elementary school kids spent time helping with the rice harvest. People who foraged for seasonal wild edibles gave them to acquaintances throughout the town. In fact, there was a constant sharing of food among residents—garden veggies carried in straw baskets, fish or meat in coolers. The pharmacist would drive prescriptions to people who couldn’t easily get out—new mothers, the elderly—not as a business service but as a good neighbor. If rain suddenly threatened, neighbors would bring in each other’s drying laundry. When an empty-nest 50-year-old woman had to be hospitalized suddenly for a near-fatal snakebite, neighbors maintained her veggie patch until she returned. The community embodied constant awareness of others’ needs and circumstances. The community flowed!

Yet, people there lamented that this lifestyle was vanishing; more young people left than stayed or came. And it wasn’t idyllic: I heard about ubiquitous gossip, long-standing personal enmities, busybody-ness. But these very human foibles didn’t dam the flow. This dynamic community organism couldn’t have been more different from my suburban life back home, with its insular nuclear families. We nod hello to neighbors in passing. 

This wonderful experience contained a personal challenge. Blond and blue-eyed, I became “the other” for the first time. Except for my dad, I saw no Westerner there. Curious eyes followed me. Stepping into a market or walking down the street, I drew gazes. People swiftly looked away if they accidentally caught my eye. It was not at all hostile, I knew, but I felt like an object. I began making extra sure to appear “presentable” before going outside. The sense of being watched sometimes generated mild stress or resentment. Returning to my lovely tatami room, I would decompress, grateful to be alone. I realized this challenge was a minute fraction of what others experience in my own country. The toll that feeling—and being— “other” takes on non-white and visibly different people in the US can be extremely painful. Experiencing it firsthand, albeit briefly, benignly, and in relative comfort, I got it.

Unlike the organic Niigata community, work teams, and the workplace itself, have externally driven purposes. Within this different environment, I will strive to exemplify the ongoing mutual awareness that fueled the community life in Niigata. Does it benefit the bottom line, improve the results? I don’t know. But it helps me be the mature, engaged person I want to be, and to appreciate the individuals who are my colleagues and who comprise my professional community. I am now far more conscious of people feeling their “otherness”—even when it’s not in response to negative treatment, it can arise simply from awareness of being in some way different.

What did you think of this essay? Does this middle class Midwesterner have the unique experience of being different from the surrounding majority, something she had not experienced in the United States? Did she encounter diversity from the perspective of “the other”? 

Here a few things to note about why this diversity essay works so well:

• The writer comes from “a comfortable, suburban, Wisconsin life,” suggesting that her own background might not be ethnically, racially, or in other ways diverse.
• The diversity “points” scored all come from her fascinating  experience of having lived in a Japanese farm village, where she immersed herself in a totally different culture.
• The lessons learned about the meaning of community are what broaden and deepen the writer’s perspective about life, about a purpose-driven life, and about the concept of “otherness.” 

By writing about a time when you experienced diversity in one of its many forms, you can write a memorable and meaningful diversity essay.

Working on your diversity essay?

Want to ensure that your application demonstrates the diversity that your dream school is seeking? Work with one of our admissions experts and . This checklist includes more than 30 different ways to think about diversity to jump-start your creative engines.

Related Resources:

•  Different Dimensions of Diversity , a podcast episode • What to Do if You Belong to an Overrepresented Applicant Group • Med School Admissions Advice for Nontraditional Applicants: The Experts Speak

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• College Application

College Diversity Essay Examples

Institutions of higher learning want to recognize diversity and support students from diverse backgrounds and experiences, making college diversity essay examples more relevant than ever. Your diversity secondary essay will make a big difference in your application, and looking at expertly written essays will help you immensely.

We at BeMo believe that everybody deserves a fair and equal shot at higher education, which is why it is important to us to make sure that persons from underrepresented backgrounds aren’t being left behind.

To that end, we are going to show several examples of diversity essays, with prompts selected from different educational institutions, in addition to giving you general expert college essay tips and a section on how to approach diversity essays specifically.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 11 min read

Essay examples.

These essay prompts are taken from various schools as well as the Common App*, and each one will deal with a different kind of diversity. Some of these prompts remark directly on diversity, while others are simply open, or hint at a connection.

*The Common Application is a centralized system used by many schools to streamline the application process.

NYU Supplemental Essay Example (Common App)

Prompt: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

Word limit: 250-650 words. Aim for about 500 words.

The labels that I bear are hung from me like branches on a tree: disruptive, energetic, creative, loud, fun, easily distracted, clever, a space cadet, a problem … and that tree has roots called ADHD. The diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder made a lot of sense when it was handed down. I was diagnosed later than other children, probably owing to my sex, which is female; people with ADHD who are female often present in different ways from our male counterparts and are just as often missed by psychiatrists.

Over the years, these labels served as either a badge or a bludgeon, keeping me from certain activities, ruining friendships, or becoming elements of my character that I love about myself and have brought me closer to people I care about. Every trait is a double-edged sword.

The years that brought me to where I am now have been strange and uneven. I had a happy childhood, even if I was a “handful” for my parents. As I grew and grew in awareness of how I could be a problem, I developed anxiety over behavior I simply couldn’t control. With the diagnosis, I received relief, and yet, soon I was thinking of myself as broken, and I quickly attributed every setback to my neurological condition.

I owe much to my ADHD. I have found my paintbrushes to be superb catalysts for the cornucopia of ideas in my mind. I have always known how to have a great time, and my boundless energy has contributed to winning several medals while playing basketball.

My ADHD owes much to me, too. I have received several cards in basketball because I got “agitated.” My grades throughout elementary school – before I had good coping mechanisms and medications – look like yo-yos. Of course, I also have social troubles that I lay at the feet of my brain being wrong.

I have a wrong brain. I am wrong-brained. Imagine carrying that around as a child or as a teenager. I had to.

Only recently did I change my wrong-mind to a right-mind. The way I did it was simple: I stopped thinking of myself as having a brain that was wrong. I have a brain that is different. It supplies me with hurdles and the ability to leap over those hurdles. Sometimes I need extra help, but who doesn’t in one way or another? 

These days, I don’t even like to think of my ADHD as a “neurological condition,” because I just want to feel like it’s a part of me, and of course, it is.

I have recently been volunteering at a mental health resource center, trying to spread that worldview. I believe that it is important to help people with different minds. Part of how we need to do that is by normalizing being abnormal. We are all strange and different. My version of difference happens to be in my mind, and it has a label. So, let’s all be kind and generous to each other and our wonderful, divergent differences.

Prompt: “Harvard has long recognized the importance of student body diversity of all kinds. We welcome you to write about distinctive aspects of your background, personal development or the intellectual interests you might bring to your Harvard classmates.”

Word limit: This particular prompt from Harvard is not given a word limit, but we recommend you aim for about 600 words.

Every morning I ride through the park on my bicycle, past a group of yoga practitioners who are connecting with nature in their trendy yoga pants. They're being taught by a tranquil-faced twenty-something with an asymmetrical haircut and a smart phone playing nature sounds. Saying “Namaste,” before rushing home to take the kids to school, they’ll probably buy flavored macchiatos on the way.

I’m not offended, although as a Hindu I have every right to be; I just think that they are probably missing the point of something very profound and important to me. I was taught yoga by my grandfather, who I always thought looked one hundred years old, no matter what he really was.

He would get me up at dawn, and I would complain, but doing the poses did awaken me, stretch my limbs, and move me into a more centered place. Most importantly, he taught me to hold on to that centered place for the rest of the day, to make sure that I carried my yoga with me.

I did carry it with me, too, past shops selling incense and yoga mats, past music stores with baby boomer rock stars who played sitar as a fad, and past a thousand other places that reminded me that my culture was a commodity, my religion a self-help rubber stamp. Lately, it has been my bicycle ride through the park taking me past this yoga group, who I don’t want to disparage too much, because maybe some of them are taking it seriously, but it doesn’t look that way, and it really doesn’t feel that way.

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Prompt: “In 20XX, we faced a national reckoning on racial injustice in America - a reckoning that continues today. Discuss how this has affected you, what you have learned, or how you have been inspired to be a change agent around this important issue.”

Word limit: 400 words, max.

I’m angry and I’m tired of pretending otherwise. There have been too many riots, too many marches, too many people shouting into uncaring ears when Black people get treated the way we do. How many dead fathers, sons, mothers, and daughters have to move from the front page of the news to the bottom of the social media feed before we get recognized and listened to. I just want to be heard. I have given up on the idea of waking up in a world where I am not afraid, angry, and weary. Maybe that world is for my grandkids, or my great-grandkids, but not me.

My mother and my father, my aunts and uncles, they were all very active in the protests – often at the front of the line – and they did not come through unscathed. They had bruises and blood spilt, they had broken bones. I know they will return to that battlefield, to protest peacefully until they cannot maintain that rank any longer. From these noble people I received my sense of righteous anger. But I also got good advice on how to use it well.

They know that protests are one thing, but action is another, and my mind has been geared toward law school for some time now, because I wanted to bring about the major changes that are needed for our society to move on. So, in addition to protests, I have been taking pre-law courses, and I have acquired a part-time job in the law firm where my uncle works, and while it is a small, office job, I get to spend a lot of time with my uncle learning about how to bring positive change by fighting big and little battles. Of course, he is also showing me how to fight those battles.

Anger alone isn’t going to settle anything, which is why I believe in making a better world with my actions and rhetoric. But I am still frustrated and furious, and while I am trying to find a hopeful place to get to, I’ll repeat that I don’t think we’ll see the better world I want. Maybe our grandkids, but not us. Hold on to that, get angry, and join me in pushing forward for them.

Princeton Supplemental Essay Example

Prompt: “At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?”

Word limit: 250 words

Coming out was harder than I thought it would be. In the months previous, when I knew that I was gay, and when I knew that I wanted to tell my family, I was worried about their reactions. I hoped that they would be supportive, and I suspected that they would be, but it wasn’t just the event that was difficult, it was the next day and the day after that.

One conversation would have been painful but quick, like the proverbial bandage being ripped off. But this was interminable and killing me with kindness. My parents asked little questions or made showy gestures about caring in the days that followed, and the experience wound up lasting several months.

The insight I gained is that we think of life in terms of gateposts and events, but all things take time, and most have a build-up and cool-down surrounding them. Expecting to have something momentous take place in one afternoon was naïve.

Moving forward, I understand that the real problem was thinking of this as an event at all, and it’s not, it’s just who I am, which means I carry it around with me and I have no other recourse. I believe this will serve me well, because it will help me have ongoing conversations instead of quick talks that I wrap up and put away.

That’s better; my life is not a series of tough moments, it is ongoing.

The main thing to do with a diversity essay is to remain focused. First, focus on your subject, and keep in mind that the subject isn’t actually “diversity.” That sounds weird, but remember that this is always about you and the institution you’re applying to. They want to hear about your life, your experiences, and how you connect with their program.

To that end, make sure that you talk about your experiences beyond a general push for diversity. Of course, it’s easy to get behind ideas that are inclusive, but you have a central purpose here.

The second focus is to keep yourself on target with what kind of diversity you’re talking about. You can bring in multiple ways you fit the description of “diverse,” but your essay may be a fairly short one, so focus on one central theme or idea.

There are many different ways that you can be diverse or have a worldview that fits these prompts. Diversity is often thought of in terms of race, sexuality, and gender, but it could also mean neurodivergence, living with a disability, sex, religion, or nationality. With most prompts, diversity could be anything that sets you apart, such as growing up in unusual circumstances. Perhaps you moved a lot as a child, grew up on a military base, or were raised in the foster care system. Before assuming that diversity essays don’t apply to you, check the exact wording of the prompt and really contemplate your background.

Many essays ask about your experiences with diversity, so you might have a friend or relative who fits one or more of these categories; if you have a personal connection and experience with that person, you can speak to that in an essay.

Exploring your diversity, or your experiences with diversity, is the key to success in writing your own diversity essay. Dig deep and share your genuine experiences. The operative word here is “genuine”: do not, under any circumstances, fake this essay. Any falsehood in an application is unacceptable, and co-opting another underrepresented group’s diversity is disrespectful. There is enough room in most prompts to account for your particular branch of diversity without pretending to be someone else.

Want to review more advice for college essays? Take a look at this video:

Essay Writing Tips

When we speak more generally, not just of diversity essays in particular, but with respect to how to write a college essay , most of the rules are going to be more or less the same as with other prompts.

Of course, your approach to how to start a college essay , whether specific to the diversity prompts or not, remains the same: open with your “hook,” the line that snares any reader, ideally even ones who aren’t on the admissions committee. If you open well, you grab your reader’s attention and bring them along for the ride.

After that, follow basic essay structure, including a body to explore your ideas and a conclusion to wrap up.

One way to polish your essay is to make sure that your paragraphs transition nicely into one another – pay extra attention to the flow of your material. Another elite polish tip is to mirror your opening line with your closing, at least in terms of fulfilling the promise of whatever your opening line spoke of.

Inclusion is of maximal importance. Get yourself recognized at your top-choice school with our tips and sample college essays . By working with these prompts, and within the application streams for underrepresented students, you are giving yourself the agency to move forward into a more diverse future.

Everything depends on the individual school’s prompt. If the prompt is mandatory, you write the essay, even if you only have an outsider’s connection. Many schools have optional diversity essays, or reserve them for students from certain backgrounds. In those cases, only write the essay if you feel it is appropriate for you to do so. This might change based on the wording of the prompt. Some prompts invite students with “connections” to diverse communities to respond, which means that you might not be a member of an underrepresented community, but you could be a supporter, activist, or close friend or family member of those communities. Still other prompts cast a wide net for potential types of diversity, which means you might fit into one based on your experiences, even if you don’t immediately think of yourself as fitting in.

If the essay prompt applies to you, or if it is mandatory, write the essay.

Not necessarily. Obviously, if the essay is optional and does not apply to you, your chances remain the same. However, many institutions have programs for underrepresented students, and benefitting from them may depend on writing a diversity statement. In other words, it’s required. In general, we recommend that you take every opportunity offered to make your application stand out, and producing a thoughtful diversity statement or optional essay is an effective way to do that.

As listed above, there are many possibilities. Race, gender, sexuality, nationality, religion, and sex are some of the categories you might fit into which apply to these essays. If you don’t fit into those categories, you might still be considered diverse based on any experience which sets you apart and gives you a unique background, life, or circumstance, which means that most diversity prompts have a very wide net.

Essays are typically only seen by admissions committees. If the institution wants to use your essay as an example essay, they would need to ask you first. Sharing your essay would require permission.

If you are particularly worried, contact your school and ask about their confidentiality policies, or specifically ask that they do not disclose your essay’s contents.

Try not to worry; these programs are set up for people like you, and the administrations are understanding and sympathetic to your situation. They certainly do not want to hurt you.

You just have to share your authentic connection with diversity. If you have negative emotions or experiences tied to that aspect of yourself, of course you are allowed to share them. Speaking to the frustration, anger, anxiety, and other debilitating emotions around racial violence, for example, is not off the table. You highlight yourself, your diversity, and your connection to the school – that’s it. Don’t feel like you need to hide your personal experiences to play nice or seem “positive.”

No, some do not. Most have essays geared toward your background generally, which can often provide an opportunity to talk about your diversity, but it would not be required. Keep in mind that more general background essays, like personal statements or the near-ubiquitous, “Why this school?” essays, will need more focus on academics or career goals. Diversity essays can be more focused on your own personal experiences.

All admissions essays are personal to some degree. Diversity essays will touch on the essence of yourself, so they will be more personal than a lot of others. Getting personal will also help to show the admissions committee who you really are and why you really need to attend their institution.

Most of the time, yes. Many prompts are open-ended and would allow you to bring that aspect of yourself forward - in your personal statement, for instance. Some application processes, such as the Common or Coalition Applications, have a prompt that allows you to select your own topic.

Definitely write a diversity essay if you believe that is the best way to show your unique individuality and how you will add to the fabric of the school to which you are applying.

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